Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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155. To ask the Minister for Finance when the National Claims Information Database compiled by the Central Bank will report on employers liability insurance and public liability insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34776/21]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the whole-of-Government approach being taken to insurance reform through the Action Plan for Insurance Reform,sets out 66 actions across several Government Department policy areas, including the Department of Finance. The cumulative impact of the implementation of these is intended to improve both the cost and availability of insurance for all groups, particularly businesses.

In this regard, one of the key responsibilities of my Department has been to work with the Central Bank to expand the scope of the National Claims Information Database (NCID) to facilitate the collection of data on employer and public liability insurance claims. The technical work has been completed, and the Central Bank expects to publish the first NCID Report on these claims by the middle of July. I anticipate that this new report will provide a wealth of data in relation to this insurance market, which is significant for many businesses and community groups throughout the country.

The report will be the first of its kind, and is expected to offer a valuable insight into several important features of the employers’ and public liability market, including an analysis of premiums, claims, settlements channels and income and expenditure. This enhanced transparency will be key to further developing our understanding of how claims costs are impacting premiums, and in particular, the relationship between the price paid by a customer for a policy and the cost to insurance undertakings.

Over time, further iterations of the report should enable us to assess the impact of other key reforms being undertaken as part of the Action Plan. In particular, future NCID reports on employer and public liability insurance, as well as motor insurance, should reveal whether the savings afforded by the Personal Injuries Guidelines are being reflected in the form of lower premiums. As such, these reports will be a crucial tool to enable Government hold insurers to account on their commitments to pass on savings from lower award levels to consumers.

It may interest the Deputy to know that officials in the Department are already engaging with the Central Bank to consider whether additional enhancements could be made to the NCID to further enhance transparency around the impact of the Guidelines. As such, technical work is required to review the current data specification and how it might incorporate these developments, including potentially though legislation.

In conclusion, I look forward to the publication of the first NCID Report on employers’ and public liability claims shortly, and believe this marks a significant milestone in the insurance reform agenda.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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156. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has made contact with insurance firms to confirm that they will provide insurance cover to publicans that provide drinks in outdoor locations in compliance with public health regulations but in a manner that the Government has failed to legislate for; the outcome of those contacts; the action he is taking to address the issue to ensure that publicans and other businesses will be able to open up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34777/21]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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At the outset, it is important to note that the administration of the scheme underpinning the provision of outdoor hospitality facilities operated by many businesses across the country, including by publicans is the responsibility of the relevant local authorities. These are under the remit of Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Having said that, my Department has been in touch with Insurance Ireland regarding this matter. They have advised us that given the range of facilities offered by licenced premises, the issue will have to be assessed on a case-by-case basis depending on whether this activity takes place within the business premises or in public spaces. As such, a uniform approach is not applicable in these circumstances.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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157. To ask the Minister for Finance the steps he has taken to reduce the cost of employers’ liability and public liability which are a major threat to businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34778/21]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As committed to in the 2020 Programme for Government, Government is prioritising reform of the insurance sector with particular emphasis on motor, public, and employer liability insurance. The whole-of-Government approach being taken through the Action Plan for Insurance Reformtherefore sets out 66 actions which aim to improve both the cost and availability of this key financial services, particularly for businesses. In this regard, I welcome the implementation of the Personal Injuries Guidelines, which represents a key achievement of this insurance reform agenda, and was realised several months ahead of schedule.

The Guidelines significantly reduce award levels for many categories of common injuries, particularly those of soft tissue. Of note is that a number of common injuries will now move to the jurisdiction of the District rather than the Circuit Court, thus reducing associated legal fees. The Guidelines also provide guidance in relation to injuries previously not included in the Book of Quantum and will be used by both the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) and the judiciary. Therefore, they should help to bring more certainty to claimants and insurers, and as such reinforce the benefits of using the PIAB to settle claims. This in turn should further reduce the costs of claims, particularly legal fees. I have previously set out my view that these costs, rather than the profit component, tend to represent a bigger factor in the cost of insurance premiums. As such, it is important that they are lowered.

As Minister for Finance, my expectation is that insurers will now commence reflecting savings from reduced award levels to customers, in line with past commitments, and I intend to hold them to account on this. Minister of State Fleming met with the CEOs of the main insurers operating in Ireland to set out the Government’s expectation in this regard. These engagements were positive, with insurers indicating that they will begin lowering premiums in response to the Guidelines. The Minister of State will meet with CEOs again later this year to review their ongoing response to this and other key reforms. My officials are also engaging with the Central Bank to consider what enhancements could be made to further improve transparency through the National Claims Information Database, so that the impact of the Guidelines can be seen in future motor, employer and public liability reports.

Finally, I would like to assure the Deputy that work remains ongoing across Government to deliver further elements of the Action Plan, including measures to reform the PIAB, reduce fraud, and make changes to the duty of care in order to strengthen waivers and notices. It is my hope that the implementation of these key actions in particular should further help to lower insurance costs for businesses.