Has any engagement by the Department occurred with the insurance sector following recent severe weather events, including both Storm Bram and Storm Chandra? These storms have caused real damage and anxiety for many households that are now trying to cope with the aftermath. Could the Minister of State outline what specific engagement has taken place to date and how the insurance sector is responding to these interactions?

First, I would like to acknowledge the serious damage caused by recent storm events, and the impact they have had on families, communities and businesses. In the aftermath of Storm Bram and Storm Chandra, I engaged with Insurance Ireland, the representative body for the Irish insurance industry, regarding the insurance sector’s response to claims and reiterated the Government’s expectations that insurance companies should treat policyholders fairly and expediently in the context of claims relating to Storm Bram. Insurance companies actively track storm events to ensure adequate readiness and resource allocation. For both storm events, Insurance Ireland advised that in advance of each storm, the insurance companies took preparatory measures such as informing the public on their websites and social media platforms and activating surge plans in anticipation of the increased call volumes. The insurance companies were well prepared and were actively assisting their policyholders. For the most recent storm, Storm Chandra, Insurance Ireland has advised my officials that it is too early to quantify the overall cost of damage arising from the storm. Clean-up and assessment work is ongoing, and a clearer picture will emerge over the coming weeks. Insurers have resources in place and are on hand to support any homeowners or business owners who have unfortunately experienced flood or storm-related damage. Claims teams and emergency assistance services are fully operational and insurers are actively monitoring claims as they come in. Insurance Ireland’s insurance information service has also been available to assist members of the public who may need additional support or help navigating the claims process. My Department will continue to engage with Insurance Ireland concerning the recent storms to ensure insurers remain focused on processing claims fairly and efficiently and on working closely with service providers to expedite assessments and repairs. These matters remain a priority for this Government and efforts continue to be made to progress a responsive approach from the insurance industry.

I thank the Minister of State. As more claims are processed, households now fear that making a valid flood claim could lead to exclusion from further insurance cover or sharp premium hikes, which compound their vulnerability to future weather events.

I met many of these households and families over the last few days and weeks in Dublin Rathdown, which was particularly hit by the recent Storm Chandra. These families understand the sector's challenges, but they need protection against being priced out or dropped entirely. Will the Minister of State confirm specifically whether his engagement with insurers includes commitments to prevent households from being excluded from future policies due to a single flood claim? Will any measures or guidelines be introduced to safeguard their ongoing insurability?

I thank the Deputy. I will need to ask the insurance industry about that specific question he raised regarding how a previous flood claim may exclude people from future cover. I cannot quantify if that has happened in the past, and, if so, in how many instances. I will undertake to get that information and relay it to the Deputy. It is a problem. We mentioned in previous replies that approximately 5% of buildings are excluded from flood insurance because of previous floods or because they have been identified in a flood risk map as potentially flooding in future. That is why one of the priority actions in the action plan for insurance reform is a commitment to develop a long-term strategic approach to the provision of flood insurance. My Department is working with the OPW, the insurance industry and the Central Bank to bring forward a proposal. I met with a representative of the insurance industry flood task force, and they have given a commitment that they will bring forward a proposal from the insurance industry within the next number of weeks, at which stage we will review it within the Department, working with the Central Bank and the OPW.

I would love to think that the insurance companies would help with flood prevention mechanisms, but I do not think that is realistic. The challenge and the frustration of Government, and I made this point in reply to a previous question, is that insurance companies have not responded positively where the Government has expended large sums of money installing permanent flood defence mechanisms and where policyholders in those areas are still finding it difficult to obtain insurance. I met the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, on this issue today. I am meeting the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, on this issue next week to see how we can bring about the relevant changes that are needed to ensure insurance companies come to the table and respect and acknowledge the fact that this State has expended tens of millions of euro putting in permanent flood defence barriers and, at the same time, they are not willing to take on the risk in those areas. That is something we need to look at, but that stakeholder group will be convening next month to explore the proposals from the insurance industry in relation to flood insurance into the future.