Mr. Michael Horan:

Insurance companies cannot physically survey every house when they are making their underwriting decisions. It is not feasible because of the number of houses that are insured. When we attended a meeting of this committee in September of last year, we were asked how a person in one of these areas can get out of it. We are working with the OPW through our flood working group. We are getting information from the OPW on digital files that show the areas which are protected by flood defences. Historically, insurance companies have not had that information when they examine at-risk areas. The new data coming from the OPW will enable them to amend their lists of at-risk areas to take account of flood defences that have been built.

The Deputy asked about elevation. I guess it is possible for somebody's house to be within a particular area but at a more elevated height. We recommend that a person in such circumstances should make representations to the insurance company, drawing its attention to the fact that the house is in an elevated position. He or she also has the option of using the Irish Insurance Federation's information service, which can liaise with the insurance company and bring its attention to the salient facts.