19/11/2014

Christmas Shoppers Warned Of Lack Of Legislation On Gift Vouchers

Christmas shoppers are being warned to exercise caution when buying gift vouchers, with Fine Gael TD Olivia Mitchell highlighting the absence of legislation governing the vouchers.

"Most people purchasing gift vouchers are scarcely aware that they have an expiry date, often as short as one year. Unfortunately many recipients aren’t conscious of the expiry date either, and the result is that many businesses simply pocket the value of the voucher," Ms Mitchell said.

She added that there seems to be no valid reason why there should be any expiry date, and certainly not a short on.

"Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD has confirmed to me in a Parliamentary Question that legislation to regulate expiry dates and other aspects of vouchers is being examined. In the meantime however during this Christmas period, purchasers and recipients should be careful to read the small print."

(MH/CD)

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