Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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129. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding his engagement with the insurance sector specifically related to persons and businesses that operate recreational facilities and outdoor activities; if his attention has been drawn to businesses being forced to close due to prohibitive insurance costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54244/21]

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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134. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the challenges faced by organisations and businesses in the leisure, sporting and charity sectors in accessing affordable public liability insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54212/21]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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150. To ask the Minister for Finance the plans he has to address the difficulties currently arising in securing insurance for outdoor sports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54336/21]

Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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162. To ask the Minister for Finance the work that is being undertaken to assist higher risk sports such as climbing and water sports to access affordable insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54714/21]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 129, 134, 150 and 162 together.

Firstly, I wish to assure the House that I am very much aware of the issues of insurance affordability and availability facing many sectors, particularly the leisure industry, which provides such an important contribution to the well-being of our society and economy in general. However, it is important to note that neither I, nor the Central Bank of Ireland have any influence over the pricing or provision of insurance products, nor can we compel any insurer operating in the Irish market to provide cover to any individual business or group, as this is a commercial matter. This position is reinforced by the EU legislative framework for insurance, the Solvency II Directive.

Nevertheless, I can assure the Deputies that the Government is committed to improving the cost and availability of insurance for all consumers, businesses and community groups. As the Deputies may be aware, the Government recently published the first Action Plan for Insurance Reform Implementation Report, which shows that work is progressing well to implement these important reforms, with 34 of the 66 actions contained within the Action Plan now complete. The Cabinet Sub-Group on Insurance Reform, which oversees the implementation of the Action Plan, is fully focussed on the delivery of its remaining objectives. Of particular importance to the leisure and sporting sectors is that the Department of Justice is bringing forward proposals to reform the Occupiers Liability Act and the Duty of Care. This is particularly relevant as it has been identified as key in helping address ‘slips, trips and falls’ issues which are very prevalent in footfall-intensive areas such as the leisure industry and activity-related pursuits.

One of the key aspects of the reform agenda which has already been delivered is the implementation of the new Personal Injuries Guidelines, which were introduced six months ahead of schedule. These have significantly lowered award levels for many categories of common injuries; early data from the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) shows that since the commencement of the new Guidelines award levels have reduced by an average of 40%. This is an encouraging development and it is my hope that this trend will continue, thus resulting in lower insurance costs. In recent meetings with Minister of State Fleming, the main insurance firms in the Irish market have indicated that they will begin to reduce premiums in response to this development. Minister Fleming will again meet with CEOs of the major insurance providers shortly to review their ongoing response to this and other key reforms.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to assure the Deputies that securing a more sustainable and competitive market through deepening and widening the supply of insurance in Ireland remains a key policy aim for this Government. In this regard, it is my intention to continue to work with my Government colleagues to ensure that implementation of the Action Plan will have a positive impact on the affordability and availability of insurance for individuals, businesses, community and voluntary groups across Ireland.