Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the efforts he has made to secure the maximum level of employment at Aviva Insurance both at its head office in Dublin and at the various branch offices throughout the country in view of the concerns of the employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40387/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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In October 2011, Aviva announced that it had undertaken a review of its Irish operations.

Reasons cited for this review, according to the company, included the significant reduction in demand for insurance and pension products in the Irish market. Industry figures indicate that the market for General Insurance i.e. motor, household insurance, in Ireland had contracted by over 20% in the last two years with Life and Pensions insurance contracting by over 30%. Given the above, Aviva stated that it found it necessary to review its Irish operations to ensure that its cost base was in line with domestic demand to ensure sustainability.

Aviva have indicated to IDA and myself their continued commitment to ongoing engagement with employees and unions and also have stated their intention, post-transition, to remain one of the largest employers of insurance people in Ireland.

I have met with and had a number of discussions with senior management from Aviva, including the company's CEO, and had asked IDA to engage with the company to minimise job losses.

In that context, IDA have and continues to engage with Aviva in an effort to develop other alternatives for the company's operations in Ireland.