Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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330. To ask the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the fact that sports insurance firms are not paying for upfront medical costs (details supplied); and if he will instruct his Department to investigate this matter and reform the sports insurance system to ensure these situations do not happen. [25256/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, neither I as Minister for Finance nor the Central Bank of Ireland can intervene in the provision or pricing of insurance products, as this is a commercial matter which individual companies assess on a case-by-case basis. This position is reinforced by the EU Single Market framework for insurance, as set out in the Solvency II Directive.

It is also important to clarify that the provision and regulation of private health insurance is a matter for the Minister for Health, not the Department of Finance.

With regard to the specific matter raised, “sports insurance” generally refers to a group insurance policy taken out by sports clubs or governing bodies to provide cover for injuries sustained during matches or training sessions. These policies often offer limited benefits compared to private health insurance and typically cover specific types of injuries, medical costs, or loss of earnings, subject to policy terms. In many cases, the cover provided is on a reimbursement basis, meaning that the injured party must pay for treatment upfront and then submit a claim to the insurer.

Insurance Ireland, the industry representative for the insurance industry in Ireland, have advised the Department of Finance that injury schemes will have policy limits that will vary from sporting activity to sporting activity and provider to provider. The Personal Accident benefit under these policies will provide the detail on the scope of cover and benefits.

While I understand the frustration that this can cause—particularly for amateur athletes and their families—it is important that clubs, players, and parents are made fully aware of what is covered under such policies and the process required to access those benefits.

Where individuals feel that an insurance provider has acted unfairly or delayed payment without justification, they are entitled to make a complaint to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO), who is empowered to investigate and direct redress where appropriate.