Alliance welcomes report of Report of the SME Taskforce

Alliance welcomes report of Report of the SME Taskforce

Jan 22, 2021

Says we now have 19 State reports which highlight the need for urgent insurance reform

The Alliance for Insurance Reform has welcomed the publication of the Government’s Report of the SME Taskforce: SME and Entrepreneurship Growth Plan.

Key insurance-related recommendations in the Report include:

  • Dramatically reduce the cost of EL & PL insurance via measures targeted at the cost of claims and the duty of care.
  • Encourage greater competition by seeking out additional multinational underwriters to supply the Irish market.
  • Develop best practice health & safety training for SMEs via Skillnet.
  • Creating a process for attracting EU operators to the Irish market and/or encourage Irish players to provide insurance services for SMEs.

Peter Boland, director of the Alliance said “While we welcome the content of this report and will obviously engage with its implementation, we now have 19 reports from the State in the last 4 years which highlight the need for urgent insurance reform. The success of this report will be measured by the actions that follow and how quickly they happen.“

Tracy Sheridan, owner of Kidspace play centres in Rathfarnham and Rathcoole and director of the Alliance said “The Irish economy is not going to recover from Covid-19 through SMEs unless insurance is sorted because insurance costs remain an existential issue for Irish SMEs.”

ENDS

Alliance welcomes report of Report of the SME Taskforce

Alliance calls on Judiciary to reduce damages for minor injuries by 80%

Jan 21, 2021

As the Judicial Council prepares Personal Injuries Guidelines to replace the Book of Quantum, the Alliance for Insurance Reform has called on the judiciary to have regard to the common good in their deliberations and reduce awards for minor personal injuries by 80%.

The Judicial Council is scheduled to adopt and publish new judicial guidelines on damages for personal injuries by 31st July at the latest. These new guidelines will replace the current Book of Quantum guidelines as to the amounts that may be awarded in personal injury claims. It is understood that draft guidelines are to be considered at a meeting of the full Judicial Council on the 5th February.

Peter Boland, Director of the Alliance, which represents charities, voluntary and community groups, sports and cultural organisations and SMEs severely affected by insurance costs said “The single biggest element of the cost of insurance, as determined by the Cost of Insurance Working Group, the Personal Injuries Commission and the Central Bank’s National Claims Information Database, is compensation; and general damages for minor injuries account for the vast majority of compensation payouts. What we award for minor, fully recovered injuries in Ireland is 4.4 times higher than in England & Wales and further multiples higher than other European jurisdictions. An 80% reduction on minor injuries would only bring us down to where England and Wales currently are and would still be nowhere near the equivalent damages in other European countries – and England and Wales are further slashing their damages for minor whiplash injuries later this year.

“We call on the Judicial Council to have regard to the common good in reducing general damages for fully recovered minor injuries by at least 80% to reflect international norms and norms already established by the Court of Appeal.

“We are not talking about damages for serious injuries here. Where a person is seriously injured due the negligence of someone else, they must be properly compensated and that is what insurance is there for. What we are talking about are the bumps, bruises and mild, fully recovered whiplash injuries where treatment ends when the legal action is finished. We reward these injuries at a level unprecedented in Europe and these are the awards that are damaging Irish society.”

Tracy Sheridan, owner of Kidspace play centres in Rathfarnham and Rathcoole and director of the Alliance said “Insurance costs remain an existential issue for Irish SMEs, charities, sports and cultural organisations, voluntary and community groups. The Irish economy is not going to recover from Covid-19 through SMEs, or Irish society through the voluntary & community sector, unless insurance is sorted.”

Ivan Cooper, Director of Public Policy at the Wheel (Ireland’s national association of community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises) and director of the Alliance said “This is a singular opportunity for the judiciary to have a profoundly positive impact on Irish community and voluntary groups and small businesses.“

ENDS

NOTES:

“The single biggest element of the cost of insurance…is compensation”: See Alliance for Insurance Reform Fact Sheet No. 2 “Who Gets What?” graphic.

“Damages for minor injuries account for the vast majority of compensation payouts”: See PIAB – Insights into the Personal Injury Environment, November 2019

“What we are talking about are the bumps, bruises and mild, fully recovered whiplash injuries where treatment ends when the legal action is finished.”: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/most-whiplash-patients-end-treatment-when-legal-action-finished-1.4041918

Overall, the Alliance expects general damages for minor, fully recovered soft tissue injuries to be recalibrated in the manner reflected in the ISME Fair Book of Quantum which corresponds with our own independent academic advice.

The Alliance for Insurance Reform brings together 39 civic and business organisations from across Ireland, representing over 55,000 members, 690,000 employees, 599,000 volunteers and 374,000 students in highlighting the negative impact of persistently high premiums and calling for real reforms that will quickly reduce liability and motor insurance premiums to affordable levels and keep them that way. Our members include:

  • AOIFE Ireland (Association of Irish Festival Events)
  • Car Rental Council of Ireland
  • Childminding Ireland
  • Coach Tourism & Transport Council of Ireland
  • Community Reuse Network Ireland
  • Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association
  • Cork Business Association
  • Early Childhood Ireland
  • Family Business Network Ireland
  • Federation of Irish Sport
  • Galway Chamber
  • Galway City Business Association
  • Galway County Public Participation Network (PPN)
  • Ireland Active
  • Ireland’s Association for Adventure Tourism
  • Irish Caravan and Camping Council
  • Irish Concrete Federation
  • Irish Hotels Federation
  • Irish Road Haulage Association
  • Irish Showman’s Guild
  • Irish Street Arts, Circus and Spectacle Network
  • Irish Travel Agents Association
  • ISME
  • Licensed Vintners Association
  • Motorsport Ireland
  • Nursing Homes Ireland
  • Play Activity and Leisure Ireland
  • Quick Service Food Alliance
  • Restaurants Association of Ireland
  • Retail Excellence
  • RGDATA
  • Sligo PPN
  • Society of the Irish Motor Industry
  • South Dublin County PPN
  • Sport Ireland
  • Union of Students in Ireland
  • Vintners Federation of Ireland
  • Volunteer Ireland
  • The Wheel (Ireland’s national association for community, voluntary and charitable organisations)

For further details contact: contact@insurancereform.ie
An inspirational week of awards comes to a close!

An inspirational week of awards comes to a close!

Jan 18, 2021

Last week saw three evenings of celebration honouring our fantastic sporting volunteers. The Volunteers in Sport Awards supported by EBS culminated on Thursday evening after three inspirational ceremonies.

We congratulate all winners and the many thousands of volunteers they represent. We also thank our partners EBS, our judging panel and all our members for their continued support and engagement.

Check out the highlights from the awards at https://www.facebook.com/federationofirishsport/videos/721661402122360

 

Free webinar: Partnership building for EU projects with The Wheel

Free webinar: Partnership building for EU projects with The Wheel

Jan 11, 2021

There is a Partnership Building For EU Projects webinar being organised by The Wheel Organisation. This event will be of interest to sporting bodies interested in developing EU funded projects for sport in 2021.

Date: 28th Jan 2021

Time: 10:00am to 12:00pm

Cost: Free

There will be a number of EU Funding programmes inclusing the Erasmus+ Sport programme opening up for applications in 2021. There are three seperate funding programmes available under Erasmus+ Sport at the moment and these include;  

Now is the time to start developing project ideas, project partners and applications for applications to be submitted in 2021 !

The Wheel Organisation is also providing support to all organisation on EU funding and projects under its new Access Programme, so will be a helpful resourse to sporting bodies.

Sport Ireland will also provide some support to partner bodies interested in progressing EU funded project, and organisatons are asked to contact innovation and EU funding manager, Cormac MacDonnell on this ( cmacdonnell@sportireland.ie).

 

An inspirational week of awards comes to a close!

DEDICATED TO THE DEDICATED: VOLUNTEERS FROM ALL 32 COUNTIES HONOURED AT THE 2020 FEDERATION OF IRISH SPORT VOLUNTEERS IN SPORT AWARDS PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY EBS

Jan 11, 2021

Basketball’s Anne McHale receives Outstanding Achievement Award, with Pat Hooper (RIP) and Daingean GAA honoured with Special Recognition Awards

JANUARY 11th, 2021: Volunteers from a host of sports from across the 32 counties of Ireland will be honoured this week at the virtual 2020 Federation of Irish Sport Volunteers in Sport Awards, proudly supported by EBS Mortgage Masters.

The Volunteers in Sport Awards were created to champion the contribution, commitment and dedication of the army of 450,000 volunteers across the country who go above and beyond by giving their time to Irish sport and physical activity each year.  These volunteers dedicate some 37.2 million hours of volunteering across the country’s 13,000+ sports clubs and associations every year.

Towards the end of 2020, members of the public, as well as sports clubs and governing bodies were invited to nominate an individual whose contributions to sport has made a real difference to their community, club or county. The nominations and award recipients were selected by a judging panel consisting of 11 individuals drawn from sports administration, the volunteer community and media, including former Director General of the GAA, Paraic Duffy, RTÉ broadcaster, Marie Crowe and CEO of CARA, Niamh Daffy.

In addition to the 32 county-level award winners, basketball stalwart, Anne McHale, of Ballina Braves Boys BC in Mayo, received the overall Outstanding Achievement Award for the many years of tireless service she has given to the sport and the club in Co. Mayo. Olympian Pat Hooper (RIP) was also honoured with a Special Recognition award for his dedication to the sport of athletics. He was a decorated athlete before becoming a dedicated and exceptional coach. His untimely passing in 2020 was felt by the entire athletics community. Daingean GAA (Offaly) has also received a Special Recognition award for their commitment to their community during Covid-19. The group went above and beyond to assist their community and came together to support the most vulnerable members through these challenging times.

Speaking about the awards, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, Mary O’Connor said: “Sport plays a central role in the social fabric of every community in Ireland, yet it would not happen at all without the army of volunteers who dedicate their time and expertise across pitches, courts, tracks, pools and community halls across the country. This year, more than ever before, we have seen just how essential the role of the volunteer is in our local communities and to this end, it will be an honour to be able to recognise so many of these volunteers at this week’s virtual Volunteers in Sport awards. I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to all of this year’s recipients, and also thank EBS for their amazing support in bringing the awards – and wider recognition – of volunteers in sport in Ireland to life. Thanks also to Minister Jack Chambers who will be taking the time out of his schedule to attend our virtual ceremonies this week and helping us to champion and celebrate the recipients.”

Commenting on the awards, Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht, Jack Chambers, TD, said: “It is a real honour for me to help recognise so many fantastic volunteers in our community at this year’s virtual Volunteers in Sport Awards. I have always admired the hard work and dedication that goes on behind the scenes in sport and physical activity throughout the country, and it is a privilege for me be involved this week to help celebrate so many incredible individuals who give their time and dedication to ensuring that sport in Ireland runs smoothly 365 days of the year. Volunteers are often overlooked, but they are truly the backbone of sport in Ireland and these awards are a superb way to recognise and honour their amazing contribution to their communities. My thanks to the Federation of Irish Sport and EBS and everyone who will no doubt make these virtual ceremonies a memorable occasion for all.”

Chief Executive Officer of EBS, Paul Butler, commented: “EBS is thrilled to partner with the Federation of Irish Sport once more this year to honour and champion so many of our everyday heroes around Ireland who are truly the backbone of Irish sport. EBS has been involved in communities in Ireland for over 80 years and we know that our biggest asset is the people who work with our customers throughout local communities in Ireland. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the recipients of the 2020 Volunteers in Sports Awards and thank them for all of the tireless work they do to ensure sport in Ireland continues to flourish.”

The awards will be streamed live each evening from 7pm on the Federation of Irish Sport’s Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/federationofirishsport/ with the awards schedule listed below:

  • Tuesday, January 12th: Leinster and Special Recognition Award
  • Wednesday, January 13th: Munster, Connacht and Special Recognition Award
  • Thursday, January 14th: Ulster and Outstanding Achievement Award

For more information on the awards, visit http://www.volunteersinsport.ie/.

ENDS

EBS d.a.c. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

For further information contact:

Claire Shannon, Wilson Hartnell, claire.shannon@ogilvy.com, 087 126 0924

Mary McGuire, Wilson Hartnell, mary.mcguire@ogilvy.com 087 951 6651

Robert White, Wilson Hartnell, Robert.white@ogilvy.com 086 126 1644

Full list of winners for the 2020 Federation of Irish Sport Volunteer in Sport awards proudly supported by EBS:

 

COUNTY NAME SPORT CLUB
Outstanding Achievement Award Ann McHale Basketball Ballina Braves Basketball Club (Mayo)
Special Recognition Award Pat Hooper (RIP) Athletics  
Special Recognition Award Daingean GAA GAA  
Antrim Michael Close Boxing Ledley Hall Boys and Girls Club Trust
Armagh Anne Forsythe Motorcycling North Armagh Motorcycle and Car Club
Carlow Denis Shannon Athletics Tinryland Athletics Club
Cavan Philip Galligan GAA St Patrick’s Arva GAA
Clare Brid MacNamara Camogie Clare Camogie Board
Cork Mary Haughney Swimming Sunday’s Well Swimming Club
Derry Padraig Dougan Cycling Carn Wheelers Cycling Club
Donegal Fergus McAteer Soccer Mulroy Soccer Academy
Down William Martin Badminton Ulster Badminton
Dublin Stella Downes Cricket Clontarf Cricket Club
Fermanagh Derek Holland Rowing Enniskillen Royal Boat Club
Galway Michael Mongan Boxing Olympic Boxing Club
Kerry Selina O’Connor GAA Luane Rangers GAA
Kildare Tom Egan Canoeing Salmon Leap Canoe Club
Kilkenny David Denieffe Athletics Gowran Athletics Club
Laois Mary Donohue Camogie Harps GAA
Leitrim John Connolly Athletics Carrick-on-Shannon Athletics Club
Limerick Emer Kenny Camogie Ahane Camogie Club
Longford Jenny Mahon Handball Abbeylara Handball Club
Louth Robert Nash GAA/Soccer Na Piarsaigh GFC and Bay FC
Mayo Johnny Carey Boxing Geesala Boxing Club
Meath Graham Hyland Athletics Cilles Athletics Club
Monaghan Adam Grimes GAA Killanny Gearldines GFC
Offaly Tomas Quinlan Soccer Moneygall Football Club
Roscommon Aidan Farrell Rugby Creggs Rugby Club
Sligo Veronica Murray Special Olympics Special Olympics Connacht
Tipperary Pauline Nugent Special Olympics Ormond Special Olympics Club
Tyrone Karen Ballantine Golf Newtownstewart Golf Club
Waterford Hugh O’Brien Moran Surfing TBay Surf Club
Westmeath Colm Walsh Athletics Mullingar Harriers Athletics Club
Wexford Liam Rossiter Soccer New Ross Town Football Club
Wicklow Conor Woods Tennis Greystones Lawn Tennis Club

 

Alliance calls on immediate establishment of Garda insurance fraud unit

Alliance calls on immediate establishment of Garda insurance fraud unit

Jan 8, 2021

Following reports that “A court has struck out the case against a father-of-two who was accused of fraud over a €60,000 road accident injury claim”, “after Dublin District Court heard a book of evidence was not ready” the Alliance for Insurance Reform has accused the State of not taking insurance fraud seriously .

Eoin McCambridge, managing director of McCambridge’s of Galway and director of the Alliance said “Our members regularly encounter insurance fraud. Fraudulent and exaggerated insurance claims have a profound impact on the businesses and services targeted and yet there are virtually no prosecutions for this crime, with fraudsters regularly having their unsustainable claims dismissed but walking away scot-free to claim another day. Yesterday we saw a rare prosecution collapse because the book of evidence was not ready. It is clear that the State is not taking this crime seriously.”

Peter Boland, Director of the Alliance said “Four years after the Cost of Insurance Working Group first addressed this issue and despite a clear commitment from An Garda Síochána in 2019 to a division-led approach, we are no closer today to having a formal Garda response to insurance fraud. As a matter of urgency, Government must ensure the immediate establishment a Garda insurance fraud unit to show some level of commitment to resolving this problem. Further reports and studies are no longer acceptable in addressing this issue.”

ENDS

For further details contact:

Peter Boland