Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2012
241 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance if consideration has been given to the development of a national saving stamp through An Post or some other mechanism for the purpose of allowing householders to save in a simple and efficient manner which will also benefit the State’s finances. [28280/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), on behalf of the Minister for Finance, provides a wide range of State Savings products through An Post and the Prize Bond Company. These State Savings products allow people to save in a simple and efficient manner by, for example, a lodgement of as little as one euro into deposit accounts in post offices or the purchase of children's savings stamps through their schools. The suite of State Savings products also includes Instalment Savings, Savings Certificates, Savings Bonds, Prize Bonds, and the National Solidarity Bond. Thus, people can avail of State Savings products with maturities ranging from on-demand deposit accounts to 10-year National Solidarity Bonds. With the exception of the 30-day notice deposit accounts and prize bonds (where funds may not be withdrawn within the first three months of purchasing the bonds), people have the option of withdrawing their money from any product on giving seven days' notice. State Savings is the brand name used by the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) to describe the range of savings products offered by the NTMA to personal savers. These products have been an important and dependable component of Government borrowing for many years and make a valuable contribution to the national finances. Thus, all money placed in State Savings products contributes towards the funding of the State.
