Ms Linda Murray:

I have 12 people employed and I have 25 days left to get insurance. Members may ask why I cannot do it. I have had two claims in the past five years. One child banged his head and, as a result, I am being sued because the child now has anxiety and is unable to play with his friends, go to play centres or play in playgrounds. The reserve on this is €23,000, despite the child not suffering any injury. This is the only reason I cannot get insurance.

I have the only play centre in Navan and the other play centre closed six weeks ago. Navan has a population of 40,000 people and there are many children who need to play, especially on rainy days. Parents need to go somewhere for their kids' parties. I really do not want to close in 25 days. My own case is horrific but it is not unusual. Centres across the length and breadth of the country are being told they are lucky to even get insurance. After being handed a quote, we are told that even though it was €20,000 last year and €45,000 this year, we are lucky to get that. We are genuinely told that.

All our centres in the past year have seen increases in premiums of between 100% and 300%. This affects even centres that may have had no claims. Deputy McGrath is familiar with one in Cork that paid just under €8,000 for insurance last year, has never had a claim but has been told it is very lucky to get a premium of €18,000 this year. I challenge the Government to save my livelihood and that of all our members. Save the livelihoods of our staff and give our kids somewhere to play. Within the next 12 to 24 months, there may not be any play centres or leisure centres left if insurance is allowed to keep going the way it is. I thank the committee for its time.