Willie Penrose
Ceist:213. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the public banking report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24821/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 14 June 2018
Ceisteanna (213, 218)
John McGuinness
Ceist:218. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his views on the report on community banking; the reason for the delay in publishing the report; if the delay is being caused by a disagreement between his Department and the Department of Finance on the content of the report; if so, the points of disagreement; if the publication of the report will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26068/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 213 and 218 together.
As the Deputies are aware, officials from my Department and the Department of Finance have been working closely together since last year to investigate the feasibility of a new model of community banking for Ireland, including the German Sparkassen model for the development of local public banks.
The project team carried out detailed research into the concept, with a particular focus on the Sparkassen model, and met with a number of stakeholders. My Department also conducted a public consultation, seeking views on the concept of a community banking model. The invitation to submit responses was open to all, and was particularly extended to main stakeholders and members of the Oireachtas. The consultation ran for four weeks and 16 submissions were received. These have been assessed in detail and the views of the respondents will be reflected in the forthcoming report.
The report has now been completed and the project team has submitted their findings to the Minister for Finance and myself. Both Minister Donohoe and I are in agreement with the conclusions of the report and we brought it to Government for noting last month. I anticipate that the report will be published very shortly.