Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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492. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will address a matter relating to insurance for a dance school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19001/21]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I note that the details supplied by the Deputy refers to a situation involving insurance for a specific dance school. As Minister for Finance, I am not in a position to comment on individual cases.

Neither I, nor the Central Bank of Ireland, can direct the pricing or provision of insurance products, as this is a commercial matter which individual companies assess on a case-by-case basis. This position is reinforced by the EU Single Market framework for insurance (the Solvency II Directive). Consequently, I am not in a position to direct insurance companies as to how they price their policies or what terms and conditions they apply to those policies.

However I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to improving the cost and availability of insurance for all consumers, businesses and community groups. In this regard, the Action Plan for Insurance Reformsets out 66 actions across a number of policy areas, including the Department of Finance. Work is already underway to deliver these much-needed reforms. Recent achievements include the adoption of new Personal Injuries Guidelinesby the Judicial Council, and the creation of an Office to Promote Competition in the Insurance Marketwithin the Department of Finance. Minister of State Fleming and I will continue to work with colleagues and stakeholders to drive implementation of the Action Plan and deliver further key reforms in this area.

With respect to the correspondence highlighted in the question, it may interest the individual involved to know that Insurance Ireland, the representative body for insurance providers in this country, operates a free Insurance Information Service for those who have queries, complaints or difficulties in relation to obtaining insurance cover. This can be accessed at feedback@insuranceireland.eu.

In addition, an individual has the right to make a complaint to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) in relation to any dealings with such providers where they feel they have been unfairly treated. The FSPO is a statutory official who acts as an independent arbiter of disputes which consumers may have with their insurance company or other financial service provider, and can be contacted either by email at info@fspo.ie or by telephone at 01-567-7000.