asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the reports of banks discriminating against women in the allocation of home loans; if any representations have been made to the banks on this matter; if it is intended to take any action to have this practice ended; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Banks' Lending Policies.
39.
I have no function in the day-to-day regulation of banking practice, which is a matter for the Central Bank. However, the Central Bank has advised me that it has not received any representations or complaints about discriminatory practice between men and women in the allocation of home loans. Apart from one isolated case reported in the media, the Central Bank has no evidence of such discrimination.
The Central Bank has been assured that the lending policies of the banks operating in the home loan area are based on the customer's income level and on his or her ability to repay. If the Deputy has a specific case in mind he should pass the details to me and I will refer it to the Central Bank for examination.