Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:192. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance when the Cabinet sub-group on insurance reform will next meet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39636/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 26 May 2026
Ceisteanna (192)
Freagraí scríofa
The Government has shown its appetite for further reform of the insurance sector by re-establishing the Cabinet Sub-Group on Insurance Reform, which I chair as Tánaiste and in developing a new Action Plan for Insurance Reform.
The Action Plan, published on 24 July 2025, sets out an updated and comprehensive suite of targeted measures to further improve affordability, availability, and transparency across the sector. A central priority is enhancing market competitiveness by proactively engaging with the international insurance market to attract new providers to Ireland, thereby increasing supply and exerting downward pressure on premiums. The Sub-Group takes a whole-of-government approach in the implementation of the Action Plan.
The Action Plan includes ten priority actions under six themes, including competitiveness, legal reform, fraud reduction, innovation and skills, and climate protection. Key actions include legal reform, strengthening the remit of the Injuries Resolution Board to ensure quicker and cheaper resolution of claims, examining the feasibility of a cap on certain categories of personal injury awards, and introducing stronger measures to tackle insurance fraud. Priority actions under the Plan are progressing, including the publication of a Motor Insurance Transparency Code on 2 March 2026 and legislation to safeguard access to mortgage protection insurance for cancer survivors, which is currently progressing through the Oireachtas.
The Cabinet Sub-Group on Insurance Reform will ensure that insurance issues continue to receive a high level of focus and cross-government coordination. The Sub-Group meets on a regular basis to drive this agenda forward and to consider the progress that each Minister is making in implementing the specific actions for which they have responsibility. The most recent meeting took place on 25 February 2026, and the next meeting will take place later this week.
Maintaining momentum across these areas will reaffirm the Government’s ongoing commitment to reform and help ensure that the insurance market functions with integrity, accountability, and fairness for consumers.
Question No. 193 Answered with Question No. 176.