Trevor Sargent
Question:211 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Finance if the State effectively carries out all its own insurance; if it takes out policies for specific risks; and if so, the details of same. [13757/03]
Written Answers. - Government Insurance.
Under Government accounting procedures, the Government carries its own insurance. This is based on the fact that the risks for which it could be liable are wide ranging. In general, the premia to be paid by the Government to cover all the likely risks would be greater than the cost of the compensation or damage in any year.
Each category of risk is considered on its merits in order to establish whether a departure from the general rule would be justified. Such departures require Department of Finance approval.
There are a number of exceptions where insurance has been taken out, for example: the Department of Defence takes out insurance to cover official vehicles in use abroad; the Tánaiste's office took out an insurance policy for public liability in respect of a seminar on unemployment held in St. Patrick's College in 1996; there is a limited insurance policy in place since 1998 to cover officials when travelling abroad on official business; the Irish Coastguard provides insurance for its emergency road vehicles, marine craft and personal accident insurance for its volunteers; and health boards take out public liability insurance on their property.
Trevor Sargent
Question:212 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money set aside in 2003 for possible claims or awards against the State. [13758/03]
The major specific provisions in the 2003 Estimates for public services for possible awards or claims against the State are as follows: Department of Agriculture and Food –€2.124 million; Department of Defence –€50.788 million; Department of Health and Children –€102.635 million; Department of Education and Science –€28.44 million; Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform including Garda and prisons –€17.461 million.
A considerable number of small claims fall to be met in any year which are not specifically provided for. In general, awards against State offices and agencies in the wider public sector, such as local authorities, health boards and State bodies, are met from within their overall allocations/income and, in certain areas, are covered by insurance. The majority of local authorities are insured with the Irish Public Bodies Mutual Insurance Limited. A small number of them have established their own insurance funds. Premium and excess payments made by them are funded out of their general income, such as the local government fund, rates, fees and charges.