Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I just had a look at the fifth quarterly update on progress. I refer the Minister of State to page 24 which deals with the establishment of the national claims information database. According to the report, it was agreed in quarter 1 of last year that key aggregate metrics for immediate publication would be specified and the development of a national claims information database would be commenced. The Department was looking to have legislation in place for a national claims information database by quarter 1 of this year and the national claims information database established by quarter 2 of this year. The final point, on recommendation 13 of the progress report, was that a report on a claim-by-claim register would be delivered.

What is coming across is the lack of hard data from the insurance industry. When representatives of FBD appeared before the committee they claimed insurance claim costs were increasing. I would have liked to have seen a breakdown of the figures on claims. FBD stated that 60% of the costs it pays out relate to claims, with legal fees accounting for the remaining 40%. I am open to correction on those figures but they are more or less accurate.

In terms of the analysis and the claim-by-claim register, has the Minister of State had the opportunity to peruse and obtain an analysis of the published accounts of the main insurance companies for the past number of years? The problem is we do not know if the value of claims is increasing. Various solicitors involved in personal injuries tell me the value of claims being paid out to their clients is declining, whereas FBD informed the committee of a particular court case that has resulted in an increase in the value of claims. The Minister of State probably knows more about that case than I do. To be analytical, will the Minister of State address the national claims information database in terms of the metrics? The fifth quarterly update was published only this month. Is the database on schedule? Has the report on a claim-by-claim register been delivered? Will the Minister of State update the committee on the special fraud unit within An Garda Síochána?