Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 February 2026
765. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he intends to review existing fraud and sentencing legislation to ensure penalties for deliberate insurance fraud appropriately reflect the seriousness of the offence and its impact on insurance costs and public confidence in the justice system. [7658/26]
View answerThis Government recognises that insurance fraud is one of several factors that contribute to the cost of insurance. My Department is actively contributing to a programme of insurance reform which is being implemented on a whole-of-government basis.
In relation to existing legislation, section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 provides that "a person who dishonestly, with the intention of making a gain for himself or herself or another, or of causing loss to another, by any deception induces another to do or refrain from doing an act is guilty of an offence". A person guilty of the offence is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both.
Further to this, the Criminal Justice (Perjury and Related Offences) Act 2021 was signed into law in June 2021, representing another tool to help tackle fraud. This places perjury on a criminal footing for the first time, thereby making the offence easier to prosecute. The Act increases the range of options for investigation, prosecution and the penalties on conviction which can be considered for those making false and misleading claims.
