What is the purpose of the Central Credit Register (CCR)?

Unlike countries such as the UK and USA, Ireland doesn’t have an agency that gives out credit scores or ratings. Instead, we have the Central Credit Register, which holds credit histories and provides credit reports to potential lenders. 

On this page, we take a look at how credit checks in Ireland work, the types of information held in the CCR, how it’s used, and how you can view your credit history.

The Central Credit Register (CCR) is Ireland’s national database that tracks borrowing history for both individuals and businesses. It records information on loans of €500 or more, including credit cards and overdrafts. All this information is entered into a credit report that can be accessed by borrowers and lenders.

The CCR report shows whether borrowers have repaid their loans or defaulted, among other things. If a borrower fails to repay, the bank reports this default to the CCR. Other lenders can then access the report to make a decision about whether to approve new loans. The idea is to protect borrowers by preventing them taking on more debt than they can afford. 

As a consumer, you can also benefit from checking your credit history, as you can keep on top of your loans. Before applying for an overdraft or mortgage, for example, you might want to check your credit report for any outstanding issues.

The whole system of credit checks in Ireland is managed by the Central Bank of Ireland, and reporting obligations are set out in the Credit Reporting Act 2013. The Central Bank uses the data from the CCR to monitor national credit trends.

There are a few stages in the information-gathering and reporting process used by the Central Credit Register in Ireland.

1. When you take out a loan or apply for one, your lender, such as a bank or credit union, submits information to the CCR. They report all loans of €500 or more.

2. Next, the CCR collects the relevant details provided by your lender, including both personal information and specifics about your loan.

3. Finally, this information is used to create and update credit reports for each borrower. The inclusion of personal information helps identify borrowers and link them to their loans, even if they have taken out multiple loans with different lenders.

These credit reports are then used by lenders when considering loan applications. Once approved, the whole credit check process starts again.

While you will probably not notice when a lender has checked your credit report, there will be a log of access requests. Every time a credit report is requested, whether by a borrower or a lender, the Central Credit Register logs this activity. This “footprint” helps track who has accessed the credit information and when.

The Central Credit Register provides a detailed picture of your borrowing history. The report does not include information from utility bills, income, court records, insolvency details (including information about debt relief notices or bankruptcy), deposit accounts, tax liabilities, or pawnbrokers’ records.

Instead, the credit report in Ireland focuses purely on personal and loan-related financial details:

• Personal information: Your name, date of birth, current and previous addresses, Personal Public Service Number (PPSN), gender, and contact information.

• Financial details: Types of loans (e.g., credit card, mortgage, overdraft), amount borrowed, lender’s name, and payment history.

The Central Credit Register in Ireland tracks various types of loans, including credit cards, mortgages, overdrafts, and personal loans. In recent years, the register was expanded to include local authority loans, moneylender loans, and business loans, hire-purchase agreements, asset finance, and personal contract plans (PCPs).

Protecting consumers and overseeing the financial sector are just some of the reasons the Central Credit Register was first put in place. It all dates back to the Credit Reporting Act 2013, which became effective in 2017.

Here are the main reasons for the Central Credit Register in Ireland:

• Consumer protection: Lenders have access to reliable information when deciding whether to approve a loan, which can prevent unfair lending practices.

• Financial supervision: The register allows the Central Bank and other regulatory bodies to monitor the health of the financial system. By keeping track of credit data, they can spot potential issues early and take steps to prevent financial crises.

• Financial stability: In Ireland, credit reports are ultimately there to look out for you, the borrower. They ensure that lenders take all your current financial commitments into account when deciding whether you can afford to take on additional borrowing.

Over 600 lenders submit data to the Central Credit Register in Ireland, which includes information on loan balances, missed payments, credit status changes (like legal actions or cancelled overdrafts), and loan restructures. A complete list of lenders can be found here. This information is kept for up to five years.

Some people think that the CCR provides credit scores in Ireland, as in other countries, but this isn’t the case. Instead, it offers credit record reports that lenders use, among other factors, to assess whether a borrower is likely to be able to afford a loan.

To get a better idea of what’s included, you can access a sample Central Credit Register report (pdf).

In Ireland, credit reports from the Central Credit Register are stored securely. Access is limited to the borrower or lender directly involved, with the borrower able to grant consent to others. Law enforcement bodies may access the data under specific circumstances as outlined in the Credit Reporting Act 2013 and the Data Protection Act 2018.

So it’s not like anyone can look up your credit history in Ireland. For example, you don’t need to worry that a potential employer or landlord will access your report as part of their checks.

Also, it’s worth noting that lenders can access your credit report without your consent. However, for other databases, you might need to give explicit permission. Because this consent is usually included in the contract when you apply for a loan, you might not actually notice that you’re giving permission.

In Ireland, lenders check credit reports from the Central Credit Register to evaluate loan applications. This could help them decide not only whether to lend to you, but also how much to allow you to borrow, and at what rate of interest.

But keep in mind that the CCR report is just one tool in the decision-making process. Lenders will also look at other factors, like your income and expenses (including rent and utilities). Each lender will have its own policies and rules when deciding on whether to approve a loan.

Yes. Under the Credit Reporting Act 2013, if you spot errors or outdated information on your credit report, you can request corrections from your lender or through the Central Credit Register.

You can also add an “explanatory statement” to your report to provide context for any issues, such as financial difficulties from a breakup, bereavement, or illness. While this statement will appear on your credit report, lenders are not required to take it into account when making lending decisions.

You have several different ways to check your credit history in Ireland:

1. Online request: Visit the Central Bank of Ireland’s website to apply for your credit report online. You’ll need to fill out an application form and upload three types of identification documents:

   • A photo ID with a signature (like a passport or driving licence).

   • Proof of your current address (dated within the last six months).

   • Proof of your Personal Public Service Number (PPSN).

2. Email request: You can also email your request to myrequest@centralcreditregister.ie.

3. Postal request: If you prefer, you can send a written request to the address on the CCR website.

If applying by email or post, you’ll have to provide scanned copies of your identification documents when sending off your application.

According to the Central Credit Register website, it can take up to 20 days before you receive an update or a final decision on your request. The CCR notes that they are obliged to provide a complete response within 40 days.

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