Vol. 451 No. 8
261 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the cost to the Exchequer and State agencies of public liability insurance premia and claims paid from the Exchequer for the last year for which figures are available; the plans, if any he has to reduce this cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7391/95]
My Department, in line with general Government policy on the matter, does not hold any public liability insurance premia and all substantiated claims are paid from a Central Exchequer fund. In regard to State agencies, the question of public liability insurance premia is within the day-to-day administration of those bodies and I do not have a function in the matter.
In 1994 one claim involving my Department was settled and paid to a total of £7,474, including £2,037 in legal costs. It should be noted that another public body was also subject to the claim, and liability for the payments has not been finally agreed.
My Department has had very few claims of this nature over recent years, and a specific plan to reduce costs in this area has not been put in place. However, the provisions of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, which apply to employees, contractors, visitors to the Department and members of the public transacting business in the Department, is expected to improve overall safety and should therefore have a positive impact on reducing costs. The safety statement for the Department was signed in May 1993 and work on monitoring and constantly improving the health and safety standards of the Department is given a high priority.
