Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a situation in which local authority tenants are unable to get house insurance because they are not owners of the dwelling; if his further attention has been drawn to the anomaly whereby local authority tenants are liable for non structural damage including burst pipes but because they cannot get house insurance they are liable for severe costs should damage occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37028/12]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Local authorities, as landlords and owners of their social housing stock, are responsible for the maintenance and repair of rented properties, including necessary repairs resulting from burst pipes. Local authorities insure their properties in respect of public liability and risk associated with structural damage resulting from fire, storm damage etc.

Tenants of rented properties are responsible for insuring contents and personal belongings. Local authorities provide advice to tenants in relation to insurance matters and assist residents associations and groups of tenants who wish to procure group rates from insurance providers. Credit unions and some insurance providers assist with group rates and payment by way of weekly or monthly instalments. My Department has no function in relation to property insurance or the regulation and oversight of insurance providers. That function falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.