James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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133. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the steps taken by his Department to address and resolve the issue of inordinate insurance rates for those inhabiting thatched roof domiciles in Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26550/24]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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I very much appreciate the vital role played by owners of thatched buildings as the custodians of this distinctive and cherished aspect of our built heritage. I am very aware also of the problems facing owners in relation to insurance. This is particularly acute in larger structures, generally partially-thatched, where the costs of re-build will be higher.

Policy relating to the insurance market is a matter for the Minister for Finance, but my Department is doing everything possible within its own remit to support owners who are facing this problem.

Firstly, we have ringfenced an additional €500,000 of funding under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme to support conservation works to historic thatched buildings. When combined with the support available through the Thatching Grant, this brings to €1m the total annual funding dedicated to thatched buildings. I would note that thatched buildings may also be eligible to apply for non-ringfenced government schemes such as the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and the Historic Structures Fund.

This grant support cannot be put directly towards the payment of insurance costs, but is intended to help reduce the general financial pressure on owners by contributing to the costs of upkeep.

Secondly, the Department is working to reduce the risk of fire in thatched buildings with a view to improving safety, preventing losses, and ultimately bringing down insurance premiums. We have issued guidelines to help reduce the incidence of fire in thatched buildings (www.buildingsofireland.ie/app/uploads/2023/10/Fire-Safety-in-Thatched-Properties.pdf and offer the fire safety survey referred to in the question. Initial evidence suggests that fire safety is improving, with only 6 fires recorded in thatched buildings in 2023, down from an average of 14 per year between 2018 and 2022. If this improvement can be sustained, it is expected that insurance premiums will fall correspondingly through the normal action of competition between commercial providers.

Finally, I would note that the issues raised in your correspondence in relation to individual decisions on protection and enforcement are matters for the relevant local authority.