Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

I met representatives of the Irish Insurance Federation in July of this year to explore the extent of these problems, which had been left to us to solve. A further meeting with the IIF took place last month. I am satisfied now that informational interchange between the OPW and the Irish Insurance Federation has been enhanced effectively to the extent that the Irish Insurance Federation has been provided not just with historical flood data, but is also being kept up to date with current minor and major flood alleviation and protection works and the up-to-date flood data analysis emerging from the catchment flood risk assessment and management programme. In this regard, the Irish Insurance Federation has been provided with a full suite of documents relating to the preliminary flood risk assessment, following my engagement with its representatives, something that did not happen under the Deputy's watch.

In addition the Irish Insurance Federation will be kept fully apprised of ongoing developments on the CFRAM programme and of relevant information arising from the associated CFRAM studies which are being commissioned across the six constituent river basin districts of the national river network. I am reassured by the Irish Insurance Federation that this informational exchange is shared across the insurance industry and is of assistance to insurance companies in the assessment of applications for flood insurance cover. However, where issues are brought to my attention such as those the Deputy has outlined, I will consistently raise them with it, now that we are getting close to having a protocol in place, which was not there in the past despite all the commentary otherwise.

My focus at present, therefore, is to explore ways in which this very small cohort of applications, which may have their problems in obtaining flood insurance cover, can be reviewed to identify any particular difficulties which arise owing to inadequate information or market inertia. I will continue my discussions with the Irish Insurance Federation to this end and I hope to be in a position to announce a satisfactory arrangement in this regard with the Irish Insurance Federation in the near future.

On the issue of house relocation, as a former Minister for Social Protection, the Deputy will be well aware that this is a matter exclusively for that Department. Where requested by the Department of Social Protection, my office has provided technical advice as to the sustainability of dwellings affected during the November 2009 flood events. These advices have had necessary regard to the provision of flood protection and alleviation works considered as a result of the 2009 floods. I see no inconsistency in highlighting the outlay of what, in many instances, amounts to considerable levels of funds from my office for flood risk prevention, which should be taken into account by other Departments and agencies of the State in deciding on applications for other forms of funding assistance.

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