Written answers

Monday, 8 September 2025

Department of Finance

Insurance Industry

Photo of Keira KeoghKeira Keogh (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

479. To ask the Minister for Finance to provide details of all groups that put in submissions for suggestions on insurance reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44521/25]

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Programme for Government commits to a comprehensive series of actions aimed at improving affordability, availability and transparency across the insurance sector. One of the first steps to deliver on these commitments is the new Action Plan for Insurance Reform, which was published by the Government on 24th July.

As part of the development of the new Action Plan, my Department undertook a wide-ranging public consultation which received seventy-three detailed submissions from a broad spectrum of stakeholders. These included members of the public, businesses, public bodies, industry bodies, political parties and representative associations.

The submissions highlighted a number of recurring themes including concerns about the cost and availability of insurance, the impact of legal fees on premiums, the challenges faced by sectors and the need for greater transparency in pricing and claims handling. Respondents also emphasised the importance of cultural and behavioural change, particularly in relation to claims practices and litigation trends. There was also strong support for increased competition, better use of data, and proactive Government engagement to attract new market entrants.

The feedback from the consultation directly shaped the new Action Plan and will continue to guide implementation, ensuring that reform is inclusive, evidence-based, and impactful. To ensure that the implementation of the Plan takes a “whole-of-Government” approach, the Government has re-established the Sub-Group on Insurance Reform within the Cabinet Committee on the Economy, Trade and Competitiveness, chaired by An Tánaiste. Membership includes the Ministers for Finance; Enterprise, Tourism and Employment; Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation; Justice, Home Affairs and Migration; the Minister for State at the Department of Finance with responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance; and the Minister for State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment with responsibility Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation. The Sub-Group will meet on a regular basis to drive this Action Plan forward and consider the progress that each Department is making in implementing the specific actions for which they have responsibility.

The groups, organizations, industry bodies and public bodies that made submissions to the public consultation are listed below:

  • Irish Aerial Creation Centre
  • The Creative Learning Centre
  • Fáilte Ireland
  • Corajio Unlimited Company (trading as Mr Price Branded Bargains)
  • Aerial Arts & Circus
  • Retail Grocery Dairy & Allied Trade Association
  • Supermac's
  • Glencullen Adventure Park
  • Thatch Insurance Action Group
  • Irish Exporters Association
  • Irish Cancer Society
  • Celtic Bike and Quad Racing
  • Circus Factory CLG
  • Sligo Business Improvement District
  • Play Activity Leisure Ireland
  • DriverFocus
  • Irish Street Arts, Circus & Spectacle Network
  • The Wheel
  • National Disability Authority
  • Community Resources Network Ireland
  • Retail Ireland
  • Historic Houses of Ireland
  • Childminding Ireland
  • Irish Waste Management Association
  • Fidget Feet Aerial Dance Theatre
  • Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland
  • Family Business Network Ireland
  • Cell 2 Code Limited
  • Irish Showmens Guild
  • Alliance for Insurance Reform
  • Chartered Insurance Institute
  • Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland
  • The Irish Small Medium Enterprise Association
  • Independent Concrete Control Management
  • The Rediscovery Centre
  • Insurance Ireland
  • Restaurants Association of Ireland
  • Small Firms Association
  • Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association
  • Irish Road Haulage Association
  • Irish Concrete Federation
  • Irish Hotels Federation
  • Instech.ie
  • Allianz Ireland
  • Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC
  • Federation of Irish Sport
  • Construction Industry Federation
  • Circus Gerbola
  • Brokers Ireland
  • Charity Retail Ireland
  • Cootehill Chamber of Commerce
  • Vintners' Federation of Ireland
  • Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions
  • The Society of Actuaries in Ireland
  • Competition and Consumer Protection Commission
  • Give us the Night
  • Courtneys
  • Retail Excellence Ireland
  • Ireland’s Association for Adventure Tourism
  • Tesco
  • Injuries Resolution Board

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.