Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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193. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to engage with an organisation (details supplied) in respect of insurance cover for households and areas affected by Storm Éowyn. [4162/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Finance, I acknowledge the enormous damage caused by Storm Éowyn, and the impact it has had on families, communities, and businesses.

In the aftermath of Storm Éowyn, my officials wrote to Insurance Ireland on my behalf on the 28 January reiterating Government’s expectation that insurance companies should treat policyholders fairly and expediently in relation to claims arising from the storm. On 4 February, my Department received an update concerning Storm Éowyn from Insurance Ireland.

Minister of State Troy also met with officials from Insurance Ireland on 6th February to discuss the insurance sector’s response to claims arising from Storm Éowyn and to reaffirm Government’s expectation that insurers act with urgency, efficiency and fairness in supporting policyholders impacted by the storm.

While the full insured cost will take weeks to determine, a snapshot as of 31st of January indicates 14,099 claims have been made to date and the preliminary projected estimate of the insured cost is between €150-200 million. Insurance Ireland has highlighted that their members have been and will continue to process claims as quickly and efficiently as possible.

My officials have been provided with a detailed description of Insurance Ireland’s preparation for and response to Storm Éowyn:

• In the days leading up to Storm Éowyn, Insurance Ireland actively engaged with the public and media to provide guidance on protecting homes and vehicles from potential damage. Press statements were issued to both local and national media, offering practical advice on securing properties, safeguarding vehicles, and outlining steps to take in the event of damage. Social media channels were also used extensively to reach consumers with key preparedness messages.
• Insurers convened internal emergency readiness meetings to ensure they could respond swiftly to policyholder needs. These meetings focused on mobilising resources, assessing potential claims surges, and ensuring the readiness of key service providers such as loss adjusters, emergency repair services, and claims handlers. Direct communication with policyholders was undertaken across various business lines, with insurers updating their websites to provide clear storm-related guidance and claims processes.
• Following the storm, insurers quickly implemented measures to handle the increased volume of claims. Overtime was introduced to enhance customer service capacity, and staff were reassigned from other business areas to assist in managing storm-related claims and customer inquiries. Flexibility was provided to employees affected by the storm, with remote work arrangements facilitated where needed to maintain service levels.