Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank both Ministers of State for being here with us and for all the collaboration it sounds like they both have done and their Departments have both done together on this really important issue.

The petitioners tell us that almost half of the 2,278 home and business owners do not have insurance, so we know that we as a Government need to support them to reduce their risk and, therefore, to reduce their premiums. My question for the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, is as follows. Is the grant he has made available, the €500,000, being fully utilised? Is it being fully drawn down? Are people engaging with it?

If I may direct my comments first the Minister of State, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, this is part of the wider agenda she is driving when it comes to insurance reform. She has led on this and is implementing it, and it is really important work that will have a huge impact when it comes to people's pockets because most of us are insurance holders, whether it is car, a home or a business. I would be keen to understand whether everyone is playing ball with the reforms she is introducing. Are solicitors, for example? We know that quite often solicitors might prefer to end up in a court room than in the PIAB. That could be the case from a financial perspective for everybody involved, but it also means there is the added cost of going to court.

That added cost has to be borne by somebody and I imagine that would be the policyholder. Perhaps the Minister of State could give us a little bit of clarity on that. Is the industry, as a whole, responding? Are solicitors engaging?