CAP was invited along by the Central Bank of Ireland, to a roundtable event on the 1st July 2026. We were one of over a dozen national consumer advocacy organisations invited. The purpose was for the Central Bank to hear firsthand, about consumer experiences across the financial services landscape.
CAP was grateful to be invited, representing some of the views and experiences of our money coaching Participants over the last 2.5 years. With over 250 Participants benefiting from money coaching, through over 25 delivery partners nationwide, we had something of substance to share.
“Consumer protection is our TOP PRIORITY!”
deputy governor, Colm kincaid
Why Money Coaching is a different kind of financial education – a “Grace Space”
CAP Ireland Money Coaching Co-ordinator Helen Holden recently spoke to UCB Ireland about one of the fastest-growing forms of consumer credit in Ireland — Buy Now Pay Later.
Since its introduction here in late 2021, BNPL has quickly become a standard offering from retailers. Helen discussed both its appeal and the growing concern among consumer finance experts about how little people understand it — including the fact that it is a credit product at all.
One of the strengths of CAP’s money coaching course is how topics like this are handled. Helen describes the coaching environment as a “grace space” — somewhere people can be open about financial challenges and mistakes made through lack of information, without fear of judgement. BNPL isn’t a source of shame in money coaching; it’s a tool that people can learn to use wisely, in the context of well-managed finances.
No judgement — ever. That’s how money coaching works, and why it’s so effective in helping people take control.
Link to Helen’s interview on UCB Ireland with Tim Shiels
Strengthening of Financial Consumer Laws
Ever get caught in a “doom cycle” online with an automated ChatBot? It can be very frustrating even to the point of ditching your enquiry.
It can be especially off putting for those lacking digital literacy skills or those “at risk” and vulnerable, due to specific circumstances.
From this month, everybody has a right to speak with a human when seeking to access financial services.
RTÉ News: New legal right to speak to a human for financial consumers
Denominational Churches advocate tackling poverty
As Ireland takes up the EU Presidency in July 2026 for six months, several key Church Leaders met with Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Their position included tackling poverty:
“The Churches urged the Irish Presidency to strengthen Europe’s capacity for consensus-building by promoting unity, tackling poverty and addressing growing social division and political polarisation across the continent.”
The Bible specifically mentions praying for Government leaders and for persons placed in positions of authority. May this be a part of our individual and corporate prayers over the coming months.