An issue of growing concern in recent months is the sharp rise in the number and sophistication of scams targeting people across Ireland, from phishing texts to fake texts and online fraud. These scams are causing real distress and financial loss to many, particularly the vulnerable and our older citizens who are often primary targets. We have heard reports of people losing their life savings to increasingly convincing scams. Despite warnings from banks and gardaí, swindlers continue to find new ways to deceive the public. Can the Taoiseach outline what steps the Government is taking to better inform and protect people from these scams? Is there a co-ordinated plan to increase public awareness, strengthen consumer protections or enhance support from those who have already fallen victim to fraud?

I thank Deputy Aird for raising this issue. Deputy Collins raised a similar issue relating to financial services earlier. The Central Bank has issued a new consumer protection code relating to technology more generally. Technology and financial literacy are two very important programmes that are under way to try to educate people in order that they do not fall foul of these scammers and those who want to defraud people and engage in fraudulent behaviour. On all levels and across different Government Departments, constant efforts are being made to alert people to the dangers of phishing and online scams. In the context of the financial world, it is amazing how people trust others with large sums of money and then lose it very quickly afterwards.