Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 June 2004
54 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the proposals he has to assist the community and voluntary sector in the provision of low cost insurance; his specific response to the present insurance campaign by the Wheel organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16641/04]
View answer211 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the representations he has made to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the continuing high burden of public liability insurance costs to community and voluntary organisations. [17145/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 211 together.
Responsibility for insurance reform lies with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and I have no function in that regard. The difficulties caused by high insurance premiums for all sectors, including community and voluntary groups, are of concern to the Government. An Agreed Programme for Government includes a commitment to tackling the high cost of insurance and it is the Government's firm intention to implement the necessary measures indicated therein.
The Government's insurance reform programme announced in October 2002 comprises a comprehensive set of interrelated initiatives designed to improve the functioning of the Irish insurance market. A ministerial committee has been established, chaired by the Tánaiste, to drive the co-ordinated implementation of the reform programme across the relevant Departments and other bodies concerned. I am confident that these reforms will succeed in reducing insurance costs for all sectors.
