Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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171. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to concerns of sports/recreation clubs regarding the lack of insurance cover available to cover children's summer camps (details supplied); if he plans to engage with this sector on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23976/24]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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At the outset, I wish to reassure the Deputy that I recognise the concerns felt by many sport and recreation clubs regarding insurance cover. Officials from my Department have raised the situation with representative groups in the sector and have found that there does not appear to be a widespread market capacity issue.

Of particular relevance to the Deputy’s question, last summer, one of the key “asks” of both the insurance industry and reform campaigners was delivered – the rebalancing of the Duty of Care. Accordingly, the amendments to the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1995 should deliver major benefits to businesses, sporting groups and community and voluntary organisations in particular. In time, cost savings from reduced claims should also help to lower premiums for such organisations, particularly those engaged in high-risk/high-footfall activity, where claims associated with ‘slips, trips and falls’ are more prevalent. This should benefit businesses in the tourism, hospitality and recreation/activity sectors.

One of the main changes is that the law now allows for a broader range of scenarios where it can be shown that a visitor or customer has voluntarily assumed a risk resulting in harm. In addition to being a legislative change, it is hoped that this signals the start of a cultural shift surrounding the claims environment in Ireland, which would bring us more into line with our European Union peers. It is important that we as legislators now work with other stakeholders to increase awareness of the new Duty of Care landscape, to empower organisations such as sport and recreation clubs when it comes to obtaining insurance cover from their insurer or broker.

Insurance reform is a key priority for this Government and is being delivered via the Action Plan for Insurance Reform, with the vast bulk of the actions now either implemented or initiated. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to assure the Deputy that it is Government's intention to ensure that implementation of the Action Plan can have a positive impact on the affordability and availability of insurance across all sectors in the economy and society, including for sporting and recreational activities.