Illegal Money Lending in Sligo
Presentation at RAPID National
Event February 8th 2012
Illegal Money-Lending in Sligo
• The Problem
• The Response - CAILM - who, how, where, what
• Three Pillars of Action
Education and Prevention
Alternatives to IML
Enforcement
• Service Integration and Collaboration - the
improvements
• Recommendations for Future Action
Defining the
Problem
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Presence of ILM “agents” in Sligo Town
Provide loans from €20 up to thousands – a loan culture
Charge interest of over 200% (borrow €10; owe €30) – a cycle
Extort money with menaces + huge debts + worries
Crime not to provide lending agreement, business premises
and causing distress/alarm in repayment of debt
Agents hold Social Welfare Services cards in lieu of debt
Associated with assaults, intimidation, theft and damage to
property, other criminal activity.
Prey on vulnerable, young and those on low income
Involve extended family
2010-11 New victims who have money troubles
Communities Against Illegal
Money-Lending (CAILM)
Membership includes:
RAPID AIT
Gardai
LA Elected members
Sligo Borough Council
Housing Section
• Focus Ireland
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• MABS
• Credit Union
• Community Services
providers
• Sligo Social Services
• Community reps
Three Pillars of CAILM
Education &
Preventative
•Schools Poster
competition
•Press coverage
•Letters to politicians
•Presentation to JPC
•School Book Scheme
campaign
•“Lennies” Leaflet
• Promotion of MABS
and budgeting /debt
counselling at early
stage
Alternatives to
IML
•Community Bank in
Cranmore
•Promotion of Credit
Union and savings
culture through
campaigns
•Promotion of MABS and
budgeting /debt
counselling at early
stage
Enforcement
•Information flow to
support Gardai
• New Garda unit to
investigate reports
Service Integration
• Partnership is Key – Shared
Resources/Knowledge/Expertise.
• Community Led and Community Focused.
• Financial Inclusion – Community Bank.
• Alternatives and Savings Culture.
• Influence of CAILM on MABS work –
Reporting, Sharing, Collaboration,
Grounding, Social Policy.
Where to Now?
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Community Education – Targeted and
Mainstream (School System)
Conviction – Gathering Evidence?
Community Banks- Savings Culture.
Leadership – RAPID
Political Intervention for legislative change
No Quick Fix – Ongoing Project.
UK model of good practice
Contact Details of CAILM
Pamela Andison
RAPID Co-ordinator
Sligo County Council
Tel. 071 9114468
pandison@sligococo.ie