Following increasing concerns from out member groups, the national PPN network recently undertook a survey to assess the impact of rising insurance premiums on the community and voluntary sector. With nearly 800 responses, the feedback highlights the increased financial pressures that groups are facing with the very real threat of closure for many organisations. The impact of such closures on the community that these organisations work tirelessly on behalf of is immeasurable.
SURVEY
To read the full summary data from the survey CLICK HERE.
Please note that some answers have been altered slightly to protect the identity of groups.
Follow Up Action
Minister Michael Ring, TD is being asked to make representations to Minister of State , Michael Darcy on behalf of all groups under the aegis of DRCD requesting this issue to be placed on the Agenda of the Cost of Insurance Working Group. Michael Darcy TD is Minister of State at the Department of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform with special responsibility for Financial Services and Insurance.
Ongoing
The PPN network is working in partnership with the Alliance for Insurance Reform to use this data to lobby for change in the insurance industry and to highlight the impact of escalating premiums through national media channels.
The matter will also be raised at national level where relevant – strategies for volunteering, national consultations, etc.
National Publicity
The launch of the report has highlighted the stark challenges facing community groups:
- More than 80% of community groups have been hit with increased insurance costs in the last three years.
- 47% of these say they are at risk of folding altogether if their costs continue to rise.
- More than 33% of the groups spend more than €1,500 per year on insurance
- 14% say that they are paying more than 50% more than they were spending three years ago.
- 45% of the groups report that they have curtailed their activities on the basis of rising insurance costs.
It has made headlines in the national media and is the first such national campaign by the Public Participation Networks to do so.
To listen to the report from RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland Programme – CLICK HERE
For more about community insurance and tips to help minimise the cost of insurance cover check out our Leitrim PPN website articles by clicking the images below:
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