Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 7 September 2026
789. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance in the context of the soon to be commenced Insurance (Disregard of Certain Medical History and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026, if an application submitted before the 15 October 2026 commencement date but underwritten after 15 October 2026 will fall under the terms of the new legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62487/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe disregard provisions of the Insurance (Disregard of Certain Medical History and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026 will come into operation on 15 October 2026. From that date, insurers will be required by law to disregard an applicant’s cancer-related medical history when considering an application for mortgage protection insurance where the statutory criteria are met.
The Act places these important consumer protections on a statutory footing for the first time. It builds on Insurance Ireland’s Voluntary Code of Practice, while strengthening the protections available, by reducing both active cancer treatment and remission periods to five years, regardless of age at diagnosis, and increasing the amount of cover within scope from €500,000 to €650,000, with normal underwriting continuing to apply above that €650,000 threshold.
The legislation will operate prospectively from commencement, and the statutory criteria are assessed by reference to the date of application. Accordingly, an applicant with an application in progress who wishes to benefit from the new statutory framework will need to submit a new application on or after 15 October 2026. This mirrors the approach taken when the Voluntary Code commenced in December 2023 and will ensure that each application is assessed accurately and consistently under the new statutory framework.
It is also important to note that up to the date that the disregard provisions come into effect, the terms of the existing Voluntary Code would still be valid. My Department will continue to engage with Insurance Ireland and the wider insurance industry ahead of commencement to support a smooth transition from the Voluntary Code to the statutory framework becoming operational in October.
