Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2016
375. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware of difficulties landlords have had in availing of house insurance if they are to take part in local authority housing schemes such as the housing assistance payment scheme; the number of such cases he is aware of, by local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9604/16]
View answer399. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government how he can assist landlords involved in the rental accommodation scheme who appear to be having difficulties in getting insurance cover due to the fact that the landlord does not directly vet the tenants, which is of great concern to the local authorities in County Dublin as the rental accommodation scheme has been of great value meeting social housing needs for applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10228/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 375 and 399 together.
My colleague the Minister for Finance is responsible for the legal framework governing financial regulation. The provision of insurance cover and the price at which it is offered is a commercial matter for insurance companies and is based on an assessment of the risks they are accepting and adequate provisioning to meet those risks.
In cases where landlords are experiencing difficulties in obtaining insurance, I would advise them to contact Insurance Ireland which operates free insurance information for those who have queries or complaints, or experiencing difficulties in relation to acquiring insurance. That service can be contacted at 01 676 1914 or by email at info@insuranceireland.eu
I will ensure that this matter is kept under review in my Department in so far as it relates to the availability of social housing. As part of the development of the Government’s Action Plan for Housing, I am committed to examining a range of proposals designed to overcome barriers to increasing the supply of private rented accommodation for tenancies provided to households with a long-term social housing need.
