Eoin Hayes (Dublin Bay South, Social Democrats)

At a recent residents' association meeting in my constituency in Sandymount, it was reported to me that only one flood insurance provider is left providing coverage in the community. This week research from the University of Galway was reported in The Irish Times showing that storm surges during Storm Éowyn were the "highest ever recorded" and would have been twice as high had the storm landed a week earlier during a particularly high tide. Earlier this month the EPA's national climate change risk assessment also noted a "significant risk" of coastal flooding in Dublin. I note with surprise that there is no reference to flood insurance in the programme for Government. Does the Government have a policy for engaging with insurance providers on this issue? What is the Government's policy on addressing gaps in the flood insurance market, particularly in coastal communities like Sandymount, Merrion, Ringsend and Irishtown? Will the Government consider State-backed flood insurance and reinsurance schemes to protect livelihoods and homes in these areas?

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