Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 January 2013
97. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the discussions entered into by the Minister of State for the Office of Public Works with the Irish Insurance Federation in relation to securing flood insurance coverage for areas subject to OPW and local authority flood protection works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3218/13]
View answerOn foot of my constructive engagement with the insurance industry last year, I indicated that I wished to see an agreement reached as quickly as possible between the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) on a sustainable system of information sharing in relation to completed flood alleviation schemes and works undertaken by the OPW or, in certain instances, by local authorities with OPW funding, and where the standard of protection afforded by these works could be verified.
Work has been ongoing in OPW on compiling information on such completed flood defence works in an appropriate format. A sample of data was provided to the IIF in July 2012. The IIF circulated this information to its member companies and a response was received by the OPW in November 2012. The feedback received from the insurance companies was positive and indicated that the sample information provided was usable subject to some relatively minor technical queries. A working group has now been established between, OPW, the IIF and representatives of several insurance companies to progress the work further. I am confident that good progress can be made on the exchange of information in order that the insurance industry can be better informed as to the extent and standard of investment by the OPW in flood protection measures and that that investment is taken fully into account in assessing flood risk for insurance purposes.
The first meeting of the working group took place on 17 January 2013 and the group will continue to meet regularly over the coming months in order to progress its work in this matter as expeditiously as possible.
