asked the Minister for Justice the number of licensed money lenders in the State; and the maximum rate of interest which they may charge.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Licensed Money Lenders.
35.
The number of licensed money lenders in the State in the year ended 31st March, 1969, was 128.
The maximum rate of interest which a licensed money lender is permitted to charge is 39 per cent per annum, but a lower rate may be held by the court to be excessive in a particular case.
Has the Minister any information as to whether or not the courts have held 39 per cent to be too high and, if so, in how many cases, say, within the last year has such a ruling been made?
I could not say without notice. I do know that the courts have held the amount to be too high in some cases.