Vol. 550 No. 2
67 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the fact that persons of 17 years of age are unable to obtain motor insurance; the measures in place to protect young drivers and ensure that they receive motor insurance; her plans to review these procedures; and if she will make a statement on the matter in light of all the reviews. [8048/02]
I am very much aware of the difficulties being experienced by young people in obtaining motor insurance. The pricing and underwriting of insurance is a matter for individual insurance companies and EU law prevents me and the Department from intervening in relation to the matter of premium levels or in respect of what risks they are prepared to underwrite. Insurers make decisions on provision of cover based on their assessment of that particular risk.
In relation to young persons being unable to obtain motor insurance, the declined cases agreement between my Department and the authorised motor insurance companies offers the provision of a quotation subject to, inter alia, written evidence of five refusals of cover from motor insurers.
Under the Equal Status Act, 2000, any individual who considers that he or she has experienced discrimination within the meaning of the Act may refer a complaint to the Director of Equality Investigations for investigation or mediation. Among the areas of potential discrimination are the age or sex of an individual.
The Motor Insurance Advisory Board, MIAB, is in the process of completing its work, which includes an examination of the cost of motor insurance for young drivers. I expect to receive the final report of the board this month. I will examine the board's recommendations as a matter of urgency when received, with the intention of bringing proposals to Government thereafter.
