asked the Minister for Finance the total number of hire purchase firms in Ireland; and the volume of hire purchase business in the past year to the latest available date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hire Purchase Firms.
92.
My Department has no information on the number of hire purchase firms operating here. I understand that the Central Bank currently obtains statistics from 85 firms on instalment credit, which includes hire purchase and credit sales. These comprise 43 hire purchase companies, 13 licensed banks and 29 other trading firms.
The total amount outstanding under hire purchase and credit sale agreements on 31st March, 1973, was £83.7 million, an increase of £8.8 million on the same date in 1972. In addition £52.4 million was outstanding at the same date under other instalment credit agreements, an increase of £17.8 million on March, 1972.
Would the Minister have any information to indicate the average rate of interest being charged by the hire purchase companies he mentioned?
I do not have that information.