Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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93. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the discussions between the Office of Public Works and the Insurance Federation of Ireland on insurance for homes that flood or are risk of flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43457/13]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works does not have any function or powers in relation to the regulation of the insurance market in Ireland. The discussions that have taken place between the Office of Public Works and Insurance Ireland (formerly the Irish Insurance Federation) have been limited to considering and agreeing a format for the exchange of information regarding completed OPW flood relief schemes which the insurance industry can take into account in assessing flood risk cover in locations where such works have been carried out. A Working Group comprising of representatives of the insurance industry and the Office of Public Works was established earlier this year to oversee the detailed work involved.

Agreement on the format of that information has been reached and the OPW has supplied an initial batch of information to Insurance Ireland, including the design standard and extent of benefitting properties and lands in a number of locations where capital flood protection works have been completed by OPW in recent years.

The OPW met with Insurance Ireland recently to review the arrangements and timelines for Insurance Ireland's constituent member companies to incorporate that information into their IT platforms and risk assessment systems. This work will take time but it is hoped that the insurance companies will be in a position to have their systems updated and operational before year end.

The OPW will be providing additional information to Insurance Ireland at regular intervals

The provision of house insurance and the nature of the cover provided remains a commercial matter between each householder and the companies operating in the insurance market in Ireland.