Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 April 2005
130 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Finance the progress made in his discussions with the Financial Services Ombudsman Council about the financial service providers not regulated by the financial regulator that should be brought within the scope of the Financial Services Ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13341/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing consultation with the Financial Services Ombudsman Council and the financial regulator, I have made regulations to extend the remit of the Financial Services Ombudsman. Consequently, the ombudsman can deal with eligible consumer complaints against financial service providers that are not subject to regulation by the financial regulator but are covered by the terms of the Consumer Credit Act. The ombudsman can also deal with complaints against the Voluntary Health Insurance Board.
The ombudsman's remit now extends to complaints against all significant providers of financial services in the State. These include credit institutions; insurance companies; credit unions; intermediaries, including mortgage and credit intermediaries; providers of hire purchase and consumer hire facilities; moneylenders; pawnbrokers; non-deposit taking lenders; and all lenders who provide finance on the security of the family home.
The regulations are contained in SI 191 of 2005 which has been laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas and is available on my Department's website.
