Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 18 December 2019

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs

Insurance Cover for Crèches: Discussion

Photo of Alan FarrellAlan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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I am conscious of her time. I understand she has to be in the Dáil Chamber in an hour. I presume all the members wish to make a contribution, as do I. Time, therefore, should be limited to five or six minutes each. If we have time for a second round, we will have it.

I welcome the Minister's announcement that there will be a once-off payment of approximately €1,500 to the providers in the industry. She mentioned the distress and worry caused among parents and providers in the run-up to Christmas. I recognise this is not the responsibility of the Minister. It is a matter for the Department of Finance, particularly its Minister of State, Deputy D'Arcy, in the sense that his role covers the insurance industry. What efforts are being made to attract another provider to the market? The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs mentioned on two occasions that all but the most high-risk providers will get quotes. The Taoiseach mentioned it this afternoon. How many high-risk providers are there in the category? What are they to do to comply with the rule requiring them to have insurance? There are committee members from all over the country and more than one of us will end up representing a facility that may not be able to get insurance. Clearly, that will be a major issue for them over the next couple of days if they learn they cannot get a quote from Allianz. Could the Minister comment on that? Those are my prefacing questions for her. She might answer them, after which Deputy Sherlock will lead members' questions.