Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Even though the personal injuries guidelines came into effect last year, many groups and organisations have still not felt their benefits. The Alliance for Insurance Reform has found that liability premiums have actually increased by 16%. The same survey found that 42% of organisations which responded believe that insurance costs have put their future in jeopardy. While those increased costs are affecting the organisations, the premium rises are impacting the communities which these groups serve. For example, the estate where I live will have been open for 40 years this year. We had planned to hold a party, but we cannot have a bouncy castle for the children because of these insurance claims, which is crazy. Now more than ever after two years of pandemic, we need to be able to promote our country especially internationally, but this has been prevented by high insurance costs.

After discussing the insurance costs being incurred by community groups organising and hosting events and festivals, members the Tipperary Cahir Cashel Municipal District decided to write to the Minister of State. They made the point that while local authorities have increased funding for schemes and grants to facilitate local community groups, spiralling insurance costs have resulted in major restrictions being put on such groups. With all the restrictions it is not worth holding anything anymore. We need a rebalancing of the duty of care to ensure the community sector, voluntary groups and small businesses face a fair playing field in getting access to affordable insurance. The same is the case with childcare, leisure, tourism and self-employed tradespeople who face a shortage of insurance options in the sector.

I have been contacted regularly about insurance for thatched buildings. In April the last domestic insurer for this group left the market, meaning that anyone seeking a new quote is unable to insure their home. Any person whose insurance lapsed or could not avail of it previously cannot get insurance for their thatched domestic home. The thatched property insurance action group have written to the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, and made a submission in respect of action 29 of Heritage Ireland 2030. I urge the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, to read this letter and take in its observations and suggestions. This issue has the potential to affect mortgage contracts and, of course, the retention of these valuable aspects in our heritage. The Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, has advised that under action 6 of A Living Tradition, work is under way to establish which companies are prepared to write insurance and the affordability of such premiums. I would appreciate any update the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, can give me. I again urge him to read the latter from the thatched property insurance action group.

See this speech in context