Joint Oireachtas Committee Meeting
On 26 May 2021, difficulties around Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) were raised by Engineers Ireland at a Joint Oireachtas Finance, Public Expenditure and Taoiseach Committee meeting. The speakers were Engineers Ireland’s Vice-President John Power and Michael Lyons, Chair of our Fire and Safety Division.
The link to the recorded session can be found here. The formal topic is called: ‘Engagement with representatives of the insurance industry.’ The public session begins after 18 minutes.
National media
Newspaper articles are covering the matter:
Irish Times - Home building may be delayed as engineer insurance costs spiral
Irish Examiner - Housing crisis to deepen as fire experts face 'insurance crisis'
Michael Lyons was on Drivetime, RTÉ Radio 1 at 5:18pm on Thursday 27 May 2021 on the same subject matter. Listen to the interview here.
Correspondence from Engineers Ireland
On 26 May 2021, Damien Owens, Registrar of Engineers Ireland wrote to 20 elected political representatives and Government officials seeking a meeting about PI insurance. In his letter he said that: The current market developments are of particular concern for Fire Safety Design and Certification, but it is a problem that will impact on all areas of the construction sector including houses, apartments, factories and public infrastructure. For example, without the required insurances, engineers’ BCAR certification will be undermined by the lack of cover which in turn will impact the completion of building of housing and commercial developments already delayed by the pandemic.
Joint Correspondence from professional organisations
On 2 June 2021, a joint letter issued from Engineers Ireland’s Director General, Caroline Spillane, RIAI CEO, Kathryn Meghen, ACEI Secretary General, Sarah Ingle and the SCSI CEO, Shirley Coulter to the named members of Government (below) and officials.
The intention of the letter was to highlight the ongoing difficulties faced by the construction professionals PII and the urgent actions that are needed. The four professional associations have asked to meet with the political representatives and officials listed below.
Some points made in the letter:
Over the last four years, there has been reduced availability of PII for construction professionals; increased premiums; a shift towards ‘in the aggregate’ from ‘any one claim’ cover and an erosion of cover through tightening of policy terms.
Practices are reporting:
- Premia have increased significantly over the past four years, without a change to the risk profile of the practice or likely claims.
- Excess has increased fourfold over the past four years.
- In 2021, practices are seeing the removal of cover for Fire Safety design / components, which this effectively precludes a practice from continuing to work and provide services.
Practices whose underwriters are leaving the market are facing the greatest challenge. Some of these firms are unable to get any PI insurance and are being forced to close.
The joint letter was sent to:
- Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD
- Tanáiste Leo Varadkar TD, Dept of Business, Enterprise and Innovation
- Minister Paschal Donohoe TD, Dept of Finance
- Minister of State, Seán Fleming TD, Dept of Finance with responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance
- Minister Michael McGrath TD, Dept of Public Expenditure and Reform
- Minister Eamon Ryan TD, Dept for the Environment, Climate and Communications
- Minister Darragh O’Brien TD, Dept of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
- Minister of State, Peter Burke TD, Dept of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
And
Mr Ronnie Downes, Mr David Moloney, Mr David O Brien and Mr Paul Quinn.
ENDS