Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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569. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of motor insurance policies that have been approved under the Declined Cases Agreement in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39233/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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A Declined Cases Agreement (DCA) was concluded between my Department and the Motor Insurance Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) some years ago. The Agreement is a mechanism whereby motorists who experience difficulty in obtaining motor insurance can apply for cover. Under the DCA, an insurer, designated by the MIBI, will provide cover to a motorist if he or she has approached at least three insurers and has not obtained a quote from any of them. All insurers active in the motor insurance market in Ireland are required to participate in the DCA. An insurer, however, can refuse cover on the grounds that it would be contrary to public interest.  

The Agreement is administered by a Committee comprising representatives of the insurance companies and representatives of the Consumers Association of Ireland and the Insurance Ombudsman.  

The number of motor insurance policies dealt with under the DCA, in recent years, all of which resulted in a quotation being offered, is as follows:

The largest number of applicants is related to vehicle make and/or model, followed by applicants with convictions, applicants with motor insurance claims and applicants including an additional driver.

Other factors include Hackney or Taxi , young driver, first insurance, overseas visitor and the health and occupation of applicants .