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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

Insurance costs and community groups

Summary

Deputy Crowe warned that soaring insurance costs were threatening childcare and community facilities. The Taoiseach said insurance prices were set by the private market, but Government reforms such as the Judicial Council and personal injuries review would improve the environment.

Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

We will move on. I call Deputy Crowe, whom I overlooked earlier in the week, for a question on promised legislation.

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Regarding the programme for Government commitment to alleviate pressures in respect of increased insurance costs, those costs have gone up to become a full-blown crisis in several sectors. I have been contacted by representatives of Naíonra Chaitlín Maude in my own constituency, which cannot secure insurance for January 2020. I have the quotes here which refer to double and treble the costs for next year. Killinarden Community Centre is facing closure because of the cost of insurance for the centre. It is used by after-school clubs, youth clubs and senior citizens' groups and others. The insurance cost has risen from €8,000 in 2011 to €34,500 this year. That is a rise of some 300%. The community centre is in a disadvantaged area and is being crowdfunded. The future of Fettercairn Youth Horse Project is under threat after its public insurance increased by almost 500% this year, from €8,520 to €42,000 in February 2020. That is not sustainable and those are only a couple of examples. I can give a list of more cases, if the Taoiseach wants them. This is clearly not working. We need to step in and do something about this issue.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

The Taoiseach answered on this topic earlier, so it is a similar response.

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Leo Varadkar The Taoiseach Fine Gael

We had a number of questions that I answered earlier regarding insurance. I do not wish to add to that, other than to say that everyone in the House will be aware that the Government does not set the price of insurance, because it is a private market, but we can improve the environment in which the insurance sector operates. One of the big reforms brought in only this week is the establishment of the Judicial Council. That will lead to a committee of judges that is going to review the level of awards paid to people when it comes to personal injuries and other issues. We are confident that will help to bring down premiums in the future.

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