Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have not come into the House to be repetitive. My colleagues, led by Deputy Michael McGrath, have clearly highlighted the crippling effect of rising home, motor and business insurance costs, together with the undermining of our competitiveness. I wish to refer specifically to the undue pressure placed on community groups and the voluntary officer boards associated with them. Most Deputies have had some involvement with voluntary and community organisations throughout Ireland and will know first-hand about the issues to which I will refer.

I was glad when the case taken by a hillwalker in County Wicklow against the Office of Public Works was thrown out of court. There are increasing worries and concerns about the litigious nature of society which is affecting football clubs, Tidy Town groups, scout and guide groups, just to mention a few, all of which have been impacted on by the extortionate and exorbitant hike in insurance costs. People fear that the risks for organisations are too great and, as a consequence, are becoming concerned about the level of their personal exposure. The Public Participatory Network, PPN, which represents the community and voluntary sector in each local authority area is seriously concerned about the exposure of voluntary organisations because of the risk involved in terms of personal liability, particularly in properties such as community halls, on playing pitches and in various other places. I highlight the fact that many of these excellent voluntary organisations are picking up the slack for many Departments. Tidy Town groups are a case in point. In these instances the cost of public liability insurance should be covered by public bodies where works are agreed to with local authorities to enhance the environment and properties generally in the charge of local authorities. Insurance costs have become so prohibitive for community employment and other public schemes that the employers, namely, community employment and Pobal management committees which are voluntary are finding themselves with depleted and, in many instances, no surplus funds to manage valuable projects.

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