Hildegarde Naughton (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is opportune in light of the recent flooding and storm damage that the Seanad should debate insurance cover. We are all aware from interaction with people on a daily basis that significant issues remain in terms of the impossibility of insuring homes and businesses which were affected by flooding. The insurance federation estimates that 2% - 40,000 to 50,000 homes and businesses - have flood exclusion provisions in their policies. Such exclusion is often as a result of homes being built in locations where they should never have been built. The perennial issue of one-off housing or developments being built on flood plains is one of which this House should not lose sight. The Taoiseach recently stated that building on flood plains is a thing of the past and the previous Government's inaction or culpability on the issue would not recur. I wholeheartedly agree with that.

While historical issues remain there is a multiplicity of issues with housing developed in recent years. It would seem that there is some disconnect between the Government and the insurance industry in that regard. The Government has quickly moved to provide moneys for remedial work in light of recent damage. That is to be commended. The insurance industry generally has issues with the standard of work that is carried out to rectify the problems in the short term and it is not particularly involved in investment in future proofing flood defences. I am told that in a lot of cases the remedial work carried out is not acceptable to insurers and does not allow for a level of risk insurance in affected areas.