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Niall Carson

Minister approves one-off extra payment of €1,500 to childcare providers to help with extra insurance costs

The Federation of Early Childcare Providers says some creches are seeing insurance quotes that are double that of last year.

LAST UPDATE | 18 Dec 2019

A ONCE-OFF €1,500 payment is to be given to each childcare provider to help them deal with extra insurance costs arising from the withdrawal from one insurer from the market.

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone today announced the additional payment which will be made in the coming days.

She acknowledged that it had been “difficult year” for the sector.

The additional money comes as concerns mount in relation to the rising cost of insurance for childcare providers. 

Making the funding the announcement, the minister said she wanted to acknowledge the “pressures” services have faced in 2019 and to acknowledge the pressure and stress that deadlines bring.

The funding of €7 million will facilitate an additional payment of about €1,500 on average to individual providers with the actual amount varying according to the size of the creche or daycare centre.

The minister told the emergency meeting of the Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs that the average creche is being facing a 100% increase in their insurance premium as a result of having to move to Allianz insurance company.

During Leaders’ Questions today, Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald urged the government to provide a one-off payment to help childcare businesses. 

However, the Taoiseach dismissed the idea, stating that it would be “reckless”.

“If an insurer is unable to provide cover for a particular facility, be it a crèche, a childcare provider or anything else, there may be a good reason for that.  There may be a very high risk attached to insuring it.  For the State to wander in blindly and offer to cover the bills of a private company or even a public body, no questions asked, would be entirely reckless,” he said.

A few hours later, Minister Zappone made the payment announcement having met with Finance and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe earlier today to discuss the  childcare sector’s concerns about insurance hikes. 

Donohoe met with the minister earlier today to discuss the concerns.

This morning, a group representing childcare providers said that “thousands of families” could be left without childcare in the new year due to an “imminent insurance crisis” in the sector. 

“I am really aware of how important the crèches are on all over the country for families  particularly in the run up to Christmas,” Donohoe said this afternoon. 

“I am aware of the challenges the sector is now facing due to another insurance provider now, not wanting to provide cover for next year. So I will be working with Minister Zappone on this matter, to see if there is anything that can make a difference,” he said.

Donohoe also said today that contact has been made with the insurance sector to discuss the issue, but he didn’t want to comment on any discussions. 

“We are working hard to see if we can come up with a plan to ensure that families know where the crèches are going to be, if they’re going to be open next year. I have a lot of experience of the anxiety that can be caused by families not being aware if they will have a creche in the future,” he said. 

He added that he couldn’t offer a guarantee that no crèche would close. 

In the Dáil today, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that he had also met with Zappone. He said that close to all childcare providers are registered for next year.

He added: “So people can be given the reassurance that they’re not going to find out when they go back to their creche or childcare provider in the early new year after the holidays that they’re not open, they will be open.

“That’s not to say that there won’t be difficulties finding insurance in the next few weeks.

“As things stand, only one underwriter is currently providing insurance to child care providers, following the exit of Ironshore from the market.”

Varadkar said that a “very small number of high risk services” may not receive quotations from the alternative insurance provider.

Emergency meeting

During the emergency meeting of the committee this afternoon, Fine Gael’s Alan Farrell, who chairs the committee, said that they were concern about the fact that “more than 1,000 crèches could face closure because of rising insurance costs”.

“Childcare operators are finding it difficult to get a quote for cover after a number of companies withdrew from the market. This leaves parents in the run up to Christmas in fear of losing their childcare, staff concerned about their jobs and business owners forced through high insurance costs to leave the sector,” he said in a statement. 

The crisis has come after Ironshore Europe, one of the biggest insurers in the childcare sector, withdrew from the Irish market.

The knock-on effect has seen creches and other childcare facilities being quoted inflated insurance renewal costs and providers warning that they may be forced to close. 

The Federation of Early Childcare Providers has said that many preschools are facing hikes from 1 January.

The group says preschools facing closure are preparing to send letters to parents this week. 

Spokesperson for the group Elaine Dunne told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland today that, while some insurance providers are offering cover, premiums are being hiked by 100% or more. 

Dunne says she runs two creches in south Dublin and that they are at risk due to the current crisis. 

For me it means that we might have to close up, no one knows really what we’re going to do. We don’t have enough money…. One of them that would be my smallest one, and that would be 22 children and four staff.  

Dunne says she’s aware of creches that have already made the decision to close their doors. 

“It’s just gone beyond, you know, comprehension at this stage. We need the minister to meet with us, she needs to sit down and talk to us. The Taoiseach needs to support us here, the government, we need the help. We cannot do this on our own.”

I mean, I’m looking at my Whatsapp group this morning on the amount of people saying that they may have to close up, mainly it’s really hitting the ECC scheme, which only open in the morning, they may have a class in the morning and a class in the afternoon as well. And it looks like a lot of those little services are going to close down and they are really important services. 

“My heart goes out to the children, parents, staff and owners of these crèches, facing into such uncertainty only a week before Christmas,” AIR member and play centre owner LInda Murray said last night. 

I am well aware of the intense stress and fear this situation causes having gone through it earlier this year. The Alliance calls on the Government to intervene immediately to ensure that all crèches and other child-related facilities get covered by whatever means necessary to keep them operating.

Criticism

In the Dáil today, Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin said that providers have been given weeks to find an alternative insurance provider.

“This is without question causing stress and anxiety, not just for providers, but for many, many parents who simply will not be in the position to find alternative places,” he said. 

“I would have to say the government’s response to date so far has been very confusing. It’s been very slow off the mark and it’s incredible the degree to which the government seems to be caught by surprise.”

With reporting by Christina Finn, Dominic McGrath and Press Association

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105 Comments
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    Mute Joe Mc
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    Dec 18th 2019, 8:47 AM

    This is going g to be a massive problem. More than brexit even. Weather creches remain open or not it’s about if families can afford them. Our creche is charging 1700 PM for our 2 kids and now we are looking at one of us giving up work.
    Imagine if thousands are thinking the same, the country.will come to a standstill. The Gov needs to step up here now. Maybe kicking insurance companies out of the country is an option and creating a gov based insurance scheme. Something has to be done, and done now

    721
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    Mute Peter
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    Dec 18th 2019, 9:00 AM

    @Joe Mc: What price would be acceptable?

    What you are paying sounds crazy

    94
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    Mute Lar Meyler
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    Dec 18th 2019, 9:16 AM

    @Joe Mc: Lets take a look at the numbers.

    You are paying €1700 – €280 (child allowance) a month. This is €710 per child per month or €32 per day per child.

    That seems good value to be honest!! Difficult to see how any business could charge less.

    89
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    Mute Martin O'Rourke
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    Dec 18th 2019, 9:28 AM

    @Lar Meyler: we have a very low level (.2 of oecd average) of government investment in early years education- that means low wages for staff with resulting high turnover – and parents unable to afford to attend work – raise the level to the oecd average and provide a National insurance scheme – problem solved

    72
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    Mute
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    Dec 18th 2019, 9:32 AM

    @Lar Meyler: you’re assuming that CA is just covering childcare.. what about the other expenses? And it’s not just insurance hikes for child care facilities it’s happening across the board.

    69
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    Mute Joe Mc
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    Dec 18th 2019, 9:34 AM

    @Lar Meyler: do you work for an insurance company or something. You seem to be fighting their corner. Look at it this way. My misses gets paid 2200 after tax. Childcare is 1700. That’s 500 balance on. Or 125 pw to live on. Car insurance and diesel soon takes the rest. It’s not worth her while to work. Simple isn’t it

    245
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    Mute Lar Meyler
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    Dec 18th 2019, 9:37 AM

    @Martin O’Rourke: Focus 18 years of children’s allowance on early education and that would be sorted. All about choices.

    A national Insurance scheme is out of the question. If private industry won’t provide insurance, whybshould the tax payer do so and take all the risk…

    Disallow all claims at.creches other than for gross negligence. That would be a better approach.

    47
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    Mute Lar Meyler
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    Dec 18th 2019, 9:39 AM

    It is not meant to cover everything. Your children, your expense. You get to choose where you spend it.

    46
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    Mute Joe Mc
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    Dec 18th 2019, 9:47 AM

    @Lar Meyler: insure the person to cover everything.
    Not the commodity. Their, sorted. They would be claiming against themselves then

    24
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    Mute Brendan Cooney
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    Dec 18th 2019, 10:28 AM

    @Lar Meyler: sorry but functioning society and community dosnt work like that.

    72
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    Mute David Memery
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    Dec 18th 2019, 1:04 PM

    @Lar Meyler: I’m assuming at some point you may want to claim a state pension, or avail of some other social supports in your later years? These aren’t funded out of some big state investment pot, they are funded out of current expenditure, or in other words, the taxes a societies children will pay in later years.
    It’s called the social contract, and the reason why child care supports are important now, alongside education, etc, its securing future state expenditure to look at it purely financially

    68
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    Mute mcdb06
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    Dec 18th 2019, 2:58 PM

    @Joe Mc: Kicking insurance companies out of the country is nonsense. A government that underwrites these crèches means that tax payer money that could be used for something else like health or housing will instead be diverted into paying for government run insurance. Absolutely luscious idea

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    Mute Matthew O'Kane
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    Dec 18th 2019, 3:01 PM

    @Joe Mc: all abroad the government insurance profiteer gouging families train hit us where it hurts most our kids thanks fine geal finna fail, feeling broke with fine geal

    13
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    Mute Towger
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    Dec 18th 2019, 5:30 PM

    @Joe Mc: The solution is for her to give up work. In reality it probably cost her more to work than just the car. Plus if she gave up work you can claim Home Carer Tax Credit, which is worth an extra €1600.

    10
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    Mute Loretta stiletto
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    Dec 18th 2019, 5:37 PM

    @Towger: ha fat chance to one wants to mind their own kids nowadays that’s why people pay most of their salary on childcare .. oh and ‘make sure they have had their dinner and homework done before I collect them so I can put them straight to bed ‘

    14
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    Mute kevin mc cormack
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    Dec 18th 2019, 8:01 PM

    @Lar Meyler: that’s after they’ve paid income tax on that amount, so work out the true cost to the parents. You’ll find it’s a loot more

    1
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    Mute Peter Lewis Jnr
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    Dec 18th 2019, 8:28 PM

    @Lar Meyler: that’s six hours work for an awful lot of people.

    1
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    Mute Peter Lewis Jnr
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    Dec 18th 2019, 8:31 PM

    @Peter Lewis Jnr: …per day.

    1
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    Mute Ken Curran
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    Dec 19th 2019, 12:45 PM

    @Joe Mc: the govt cannot ‘kick’ any company out of the country, it is illegal and contrary to international trade rules.
    What the Childcare providers need to do is to carry out an audit of all claims, and their outcomes, taken by parents on behalf of their children, against the ‘providers. Too many parents have become too litigious. Settlements are too high. Court awards are way too much.
    Add up the total cost of these insurance claims paid out by insurance companies. In addition, the RTE Primetine Investigates programme highlighted huge issues and discrepancies within the childcare industry.
    Many childcare providers saw their service as a ‘gravy train’ model.
    It would be interesting to hear why the insurance provider is pulling out of Ireland.

    1
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    Mute Cork Truck Driver
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    Dec 18th 2019, 8:45 AM

    Between the insurance industry gouging us for every penny they can and the compo culture we will have hardly any services left before long as people can’t afford insurance policies!

    251
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    Mute M Bowe
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    Dec 18th 2019, 9:00 AM

    @Cork Truck Driver: recently released figures clearly show that ‘ compo culture’ is a myth manufactured by the insurance companies to ‘ justify their gouging. Stop helping them peddle that false story.

    297
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    Mute DaMoons
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    Dec 18th 2019, 9:01 AM

    @Cork Truck Driver: If you watch SFs Pearse Doherty quizzing the insurance companies, they acknowledge there is very little scamming being reported to the Gardai. Less than 50 cases across the entire insured population over the last 12 months. The insurance companies enjoy the scammers (We all know a few politicians between the 2 big parties that had spurious claims submitted)

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    Mute DK
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    Dec 18th 2019, 9:15 AM

    @M Bowe: Ah would you stop, it’s not a myth. Just because insurance companies are gouging us does not mean we don’t have a ‘compo culture’, we can have both! Look at all the crazy claims that have been before the courts lately. Insurance and claims industry needs a complete overhaul and quickly.

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    Mute Cian Rynne
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    Dec 18th 2019, 9:24 AM

    @DK: you mean just because a report that clearly
    Indicates there is little to no compo culture has been published doesn’t mean there is no compo culture, you understand how statistics differ from your anecdotes right?
    Because one is the facts and the other is pure speculation

    41
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    Mute Lar Meyler
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    Dec 18th 2019, 9:41 AM

    @M Bowe: Yet, it is inescapable that few busiesses will avoid a market where they can make a profit similar to.other markets. That is how capitalism works.

    8
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    Mute Lar Meyler
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    Dec 18th 2019, 9:42 AM

    @Cian Rynne: Our claim awards are 4 times what they are in other countries. And then there are the huge legal costs.

    42
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    Mute Carpentoza
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    Dec 18th 2019, 10:15 AM

    @Cian Rynne: Cian you need to scratch below the surface of what SF are peddling. We have always had a compo culture just because numbers have stayed same doesn’t mean no culture. Awards are too high way above European norms which is why insurance companies don’t want to insure creches, if it was profitable they would.

    24
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    Mute M Bowe
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    Dec 18th 2019, 10:19 AM

    @DK: have a look at Pearse Doherty videos at PAC. Finally busted that myth. 4% and less are actually fraudulent claims. Equate that to the massive increase in premiums and profit margins in that industry!!!!

    41
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    Mute Ich bin brendan
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    Dec 18th 2019, 10:20 AM
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    Mute Will
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    Dec 18th 2019, 10:24 AM

    @Cian Rynne: We regularly read stories in the papers of people bringing spurious insurance claims which are thrown out by the judge for obvious fraud. It may not be endemic or part of a ‘compo culture’ but it does happen quite regularly.
    The problem with these cases is that they fraudsters are never charged or even reported for fraud.
    The insurance companies need reigning in as they are profiteering on a grand scale but I’d still like to see obvious fraud prosecuted in the courts.

    33
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    Mute Dave Thomas
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    Dec 18th 2019, 2:56 PM

    @Will: just ask some of our Tds

    13
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    Mute mikeinclon
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    Dec 18th 2019, 3:19 PM

    @M Bowe: then why are there not insurance companies queuing up to come to Ireland to gouge us? The insurance companies we have are gouging but other things like the compo culture need to be fixed to encourage more insurance companies in and drive down prices

    8
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    Mute Locojoe
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    Dec 18th 2019, 5:37 PM

    @M Bowe: Rubbish. False claims are a massive problem in Ireland.

    3
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    Mute Alanjturing
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    Dec 19th 2019, 1:22 PM

    @M Bowe: dogs on the street accept there is a compo culture.

    1
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    Mute Wheresmyjumper
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    Dec 18th 2019, 8:52 AM

    The state should insure creches, they are vital to the economy, two parents who work get very little from the government and have no option but to use creches (which are 99% excellent in this country) so give us this one government, cover the insurance and subsidise the underpaid workers in creches wages to an acceptable level…if they don’t work I can’t work

    184
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    Mute Morning Gus
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    Dec 18th 2019, 2:34 PM

    @Wheresmyjumper: Yes. Take the business out of the hands of the dishonest and greedy and you resolve the main problems. A bit like legalising drugs when you think about it.

    22
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    Mute Brin
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    Dec 18th 2019, 4:45 PM

    @Wheresmyjumper: three areas where insurance companies are increasing the cost of living through anti-competitive practices: childcare, motor and health. The state should provide basic cover in all of these and have a single body responsible for managing claims, which will all be assessed by international benchmarks outside the court service. Companies who wish to provide additional insurance beyond this will be allowed, but will not have access to the courts system.

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    Mute Loretta stiletto
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    Dec 18th 2019, 6:27 PM

    @Wheresmyjumper: well it’s vital that I get to work also so while they are at it they can Insure my car too. oh and I dont earn that much so they can subsidise my salary too. Parents these days want it all. New cars foreign holidays even expect the government to pay for their childcare! Ever hear of the saying you can’t have it all.

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    Mute Dav Nagle
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    Dec 19th 2019, 9:32 AM

    @Wheresmyjumper: certainly would be a sensible spend as opposed to voting machines

    1
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    Mute Nioe
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    Dec 18th 2019, 9:04 AM

    Could we not have uninsured Creche’s where the kids have cheaper highly inspected childcare facilities but the parents can’t sue when little Johnny falls over. Sign a disclaimer.

    Kids pick up cuts and bruises all day every day. No need to sue a playground or a crèche….

    163
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    Mute Mark Dooley
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    Dec 18th 2019, 8:52 AM

    Like everything, wait until it’s at breaking point before it’s even looked into. They have known for years they were one bump away from this disaster. Where is the minister for children this week? Why can’t the govt intervene in critical services in their own country? Have things ever been as nonsensical in this country as they are right now?!

    142
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    Mute Peter Hughes
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    Dec 18th 2019, 4:01 PM

    @Mark Dooley: Years of voting FFG and people still vote for them…..I say suck it up we vote for corruption we have it all coming to us……booooom keep it going lol

    29
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    Mute David Memery
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    Dec 18th 2019, 8:50 AM

    For many families in Ireland there is a requirement for both parent to work to pay for the cost of living. The closure of child care facilities will require one parent to withdraw from the workforce, a loss that won’t be even remotely offset by not having not to pay for childcare.
    This will drive families to poverty, and it starts in 2 weeks as the 1st Jan hits, we are out of time for an insurance taskforce, action is needed now

    114
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    Mute Ann Morris Doolan
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    Dec 18th 2019, 8:56 AM

    @David Memery: it’s absolutely shocking, soon nothing will be able to operate in this country if the insurance companies continue such horrendous prices.

    83
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    Mute mikeinclon
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    Dec 18th 2019, 3:24 PM

    @Ann Morris Doolan: it’s not just the insurance companies charging too much. Something is stopping other insurance companies from coming to Ireland. Only one quoting for many things. It’s a joke. This needs to be tackled ASAP. This is a bigger crisis than Brexit, society is being ripped apart, the Govt have to prioritise this!

    29
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    Mute Wade Wilson
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    Dec 18th 2019, 9:41 AM

    Why do people keep voting for Fine Gael and Fianna Fail who created this problem on purpose to make money for insurance companies? They refuse to intervene in ‘the market’. They have no intention of fixing the problem. If you find yourself in this situation and cannot afford child care and you voted for those two parties then you only have yourself to blame. Until those two parties are voted out the problems with housing, healthcare, and insurance will only get worse.

    95
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    Mute Loretta stiletto
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    Dec 18th 2019, 7:06 PM

    @Wade Wilson: well I’m no fan of fg/ ff but as far as I can see they are all the same. This country is down the tubes they can talk it up all they like but it’s all bull

    8
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    Mute Aidan Clarke
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    Dec 18th 2019, 9:36 AM

    Heard the minister on radio this morning and he didn’t seem to think that there was any problem with the price alliance is quoting. There’s the real problem ministers living in a dream world

    81
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    Mute Sean Nihill
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    Dec 18th 2019, 2:37 PM

    @Aidan Clarke: he said he got his figures off the Pat Kenny show. Farcical. actually promoted the monopoly Allianz have now.

    18
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    Mute jerry slattery
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    Dec 18th 2019, 8:46 AM

    All one has to do us read the court reports. The amount of claims going through is staggering along with the awards given

    87
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    Mute Joe Mc
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    Dec 18th 2019, 8:49 AM

    @jerry slattery: insurance claims have gone down Jerry. Hard to justify massive hikes in price

    98
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    Mute Patrick O Connell
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    Dec 18th 2019, 8:57 AM

    @Joe Mc: not enough off them gone down, payout still too high, kids have accidents in crèches and parents are suing for an easy few thousand euros. Kids fall and get cuts, it’s all part of growing up

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    Mute Joe Mc
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    Dec 18th 2019, 9:15 AM

    @Patrick O Connell: still doesn’t justify 300% increase in premiums. Insurance companies should be kicked out of the country and replaced by a gov I insurance scheme with capped payouts for injuries

    43
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    Mute Joe Mc
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    Dec 18th 2019, 9:37 AM

    @Joe Mc: or what about insuring the person. Not the commodity. It would cover everything like car, health etc.

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    Mute Jim Buckley Barrett
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    Dec 18th 2019, 11:06 AM

    We need a change in the law that puts responsibility onto people. It would seem that there is also someone to sue if something happens. Swing gate is a perfect example, a fully grown adult decides to get a swing with drinks in each hand – falls off and who’s to blame – the hotel. Zero responsibliity to the person and their actions. Set it so that people are responsible for their own actions, that will drive down claims.

    Open up our markets to other insurance companies in the EU, right now its hard to set up in Ireland as many previous insurance companies will content to.

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    Mute Brin
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    Dec 18th 2019, 4:47 PM

    @Jim Buckley Barrett: bad example as this was fought, but still probably resulted in the hotel’s premiums going up to cover the solicitor, barrister and court fees.

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    Mute Sos
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    Dec 18th 2019, 8:50 AM

    It would be a nice circle if the judges awarding OUTRAGEOUS amounts are directly affected by this through their children or grandchildren. Maybe then they might think someone who is splattered with water through their own stupidity doesn’t need €50k

    104
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    Mute Aidan
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    Dec 18th 2019, 8:51 AM

    @Sos: But if they award lower amounts how can their solicitor friends make huge payouts?

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    Mute Nicholas Grubb
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    Dec 18th 2019, 9:31 AM

    So blindingly obvious this and so many other claims prone industries. Let everyone or their carer have their own accident insurance and when you want to use a facility like a creche, you simply sign an indemnity. This is how it is done with for instance “shoots”, duck, pheasants etc.. Everyone participating must have insurance cover and sign the indemnity.
    If a creche or any other organization, be it a shop or a town council, contravenes health and safety regulations, then they are brought to court. Not closed down or robbed, or rather all of us robbed by premium hikes, a product of legally promoted crazy claims, like pouring boiling water in a water jug. 55K.

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    Mute Joan Murray
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    Dec 18th 2019, 6:54 PM

    @Nicholas Grubb: great to hear a constructive suggestion for a change instead of whinging and blaming the govt.

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    Mute Aidan
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    Dec 18th 2019, 8:52 AM

    How in 2019 are families not able to set up childcare with registered companies/child minders and get it taken from pre tax salary like the tax saver for transport?

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    Mute Karl Charlie
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    Dec 18th 2019, 10:12 AM

    The first ones to complain will be the ones who sued a creche because their kid did what kids do and fell over claim culture over here needs to emd kids gettin 20 39 and 40 thousand for a scratch in the 90s kids would be told to cop on and watch what were doing but now its straight to making a claim

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    Mute Mick Scanlan
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    Dec 18th 2019, 8:54 AM

    So when your child is signed up the owner advises you we are not insured but we will do our utmost to mind your child. So for sure the solicitor will not be called over a trip or fall. Simple

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    Mute Fred the Muss
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    Dec 18th 2019, 8:58 AM

    @Mick Scanlan: Can they not self insure? I know it’s a simplistic view but if the saving was passed to parents a charter was in place for good practice and a written agreement in placed between all parents and owners. Obviously with some exceptions for blatant neglect.

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    Mute Mark Hosford
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    Dec 18th 2019, 9:18 AM

    @Fred the Muss: nope, the amount you’d need upfront would be staggering ,and all creches already go through the hoops with “good practice”,(even if a minority arent as good at implementing it “,if you introduce another scheme,it’ll be more box ticking for staff (and less minding)

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    Mute I Crow
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    Dec 18th 2019, 2:18 PM

    Sorry can we talk about the irony of Alan Farrell chairing a committee which is lamenting the cost of insurance in Ireland?

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    Mute Billy Nomates
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    Dec 18th 2019, 2:41 PM

    @I Crow: I just can’t believe it. Scratching my head. I’d say the government done that on purpose just to wind the public up.

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    Mute Lar Meyler
    Favourite Lar Meyler
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    Dec 18th 2019, 9:08 AM

    Insurance companies do not refuse businesses unless they see it as loss making or too low a return compared to other opportunities. Same applies to all businesses.

    At end of the day, no one can force anyone to insure anyone. And the tax payer should not do so either. We (the people and gov), are not insurers for high risk to claims businesses.

    Of course, this could be sorted somewhat if we scrap childrens allowance and invest it all into early childcare like other countries do.

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    Mute David Corrigan
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    Dec 18th 2019, 10:42 AM

    @Lar Meyler: Ok then. Say your creche insurance was 1K per year (just to use figures) for the last two years. Next year it now costs 4K. How can that increase be justified if there were no claims against the creche during the previous two years?

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    Mute Matthew Handibode
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    Dec 18th 2019, 10:51 AM

    @Lar Meyler: What you’re leaving out there is everything has to be insured by law. The point people are making is how it’s justified that insurance is required by law and private companies are in charge of pricing. Since you have to get it whether you like it or not, and there’s virtually no competitive market for it, the few insurers that exist can charge whatever they want with no regulation. The fact that it is law makes the government line of “we can’t do anything” a gigantic load of bollocks.

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    Mute Lar Meyler
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    Dec 18th 2019, 11:06 AM

    @David Corrigan: Insurance costs are calculated across the full customer base, not just the individual. So when there are a lot of claims, everyone’s insurance goes up. A single claim can be 6 figures and then double that for legal costs of both sides.

    I know it sucks but that is how it works for centuries.

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    Mute David Corrigan
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    Dec 18th 2019, 11:22 AM

    @Lar Meyler: But the number of claims are not as high as the insurance sector are claiming, right?

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    Mute Lar Meyler
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    Dec 18th 2019, 11:40 AM

    @David Corrigan: The numbers published to date were solely for car.insurance.so not sure. But one thing is for certain, our court awards are on average 400% that of the UK and our legal.costs are a joke.

    No business runs away from an opportunity to make a buck unless there are better opportunities elsewhere (uk pays higher insurance than Ireland!!) or the risk of losses is to high. That is just how things work.

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    Mute Brendan Deasy
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    Dec 18th 2019, 2:48 PM

    Fianna Fáil (Charlie McCreevy) forced many, who want to be stay at home parents, into the workplace by making it unaffordable to stay at home. Then Fine Gael make it unaffordable to work or stay at home. When the election comes, remember these 2 are planning on ruling together again. Vote for anyone but them because regardless who else gets in, they can be no worse than these gangsters.

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    Mute John Mc Donagh
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    Dec 18th 2019, 11:56 AM

    Well it’s another effect (though a rather obscure one) of Ireland’s compo culture being promoted and then milked by the legal profession!!

    18
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    Mute Nigel Roy
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    Dec 18th 2019, 10:15 AM

    Typical of a govt with no strategy for childcare. There needs to be a different direction. Childcare costs for those lucky enough to find a place are astronomical. The whole industry is creaking at the seams. Not enough supply for demand, getting way too expensive. Taxing insurance company wont fix it structural issues within induatry. Offer families tax incentives through realistic tax credits for one family member to remain at home until secondary school. This should be based on tax stamps earned in past. Take kids out of system but make it financially viable for one parent to stop working. Not 1600 per year as it stands. Tax credits should bevin the region of 12,000 per year to make it viable to people.

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    Mute Billy Nomates
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    Dec 18th 2019, 2:31 PM

    Alan Farrell is the chair of the committee. Is this a wind-up? Am I living in an alternate universe? The same Alan Farrell who had a €15,000 personal injuries claim against Hertz? WTF. It’s like leaving a fox in charge of a hen house. This country.

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    Mute Lynn
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    Dec 18th 2019, 12:34 PM

    And the staff still getting paid nothing!

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    Mute Micheal S. O' Ceilleachair
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    Dec 18th 2019, 12:05 PM

    Properly registered creche should be under a group insurance scheme negotiated and administered by each County Childcare Committee. This could be also in some way underwritten to a certain percentage by the relevant Department with responsiblity for children.
    Insurance exploitation of the public by the insurance industry is rife in this country.

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    Mute Kate Fogarty
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    Dec 18th 2019, 1:06 PM

    They can do a lot only when it comes to giving themselves or mates big money for nothing!

    12
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    Mute Gerard Casserly
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    Dec 18th 2019, 5:50 PM

    Insurance immediately gone up by €1,500….
    Thank you.

    11
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    Mute James B
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    Dec 18th 2019, 1:50 PM

    Everyone: The market is screening us over

    Government: we can’t interfere with the market

    - neo liberal economics at its best

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    Mute Shazam37
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    Dec 18th 2019, 2:51 PM

    Yea yea – In power for 10 years – cost of living totally out of control but they promise to “engage” what does that mean?

    They’re absolutely hopeless

    11
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    Mute pat seery
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    Dec 18th 2019, 6:13 PM

    The 1500 will drive up the insurance premiums again on Renewal as insurance companies know the government will keep giving

    9
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    Mute Paul Dooley
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    Dec 18th 2019, 7:29 PM

    Meddling in markets again

    Same as housing

    The state should set up its own crèches if it wants crazy over regulation

    With inspectors like schools not the 192 d Tusla wannabes

    Our schools are good so it can be done

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    Mute @mdmak33
    Favourite @mdmak33
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    Dec 18th 2019, 3:09 PM

    FG FF have let insurance companies away with fleecing customers for years,due to other people’s work they have been exposed and have no other choice.

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    Mute Paul Murray
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    Dec 18th 2019, 2:31 PM

    Alan Farrell is the chair of the committee. Is this a wind-up? Am I living in an alternate universe? The same Alan Farrell who had a €15,000 personal injuries claim against Hertz? WTF. It’s like leaving a fox in charge of a hen house. This country.

    11
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    Mute TM B
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    Dec 18th 2019, 2:38 PM

    What’s she been doing for the last four years

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    Mute Kate Fogarty
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    Dec 18th 2019, 3:28 PM

    First they will force thousands of people out of work saying there is nothing we can do about it but when people start claiming dole suddenly they can do a lot – blame a welfare cheats!

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    Mute Matthew O'Kane
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    Dec 18th 2019, 7:40 PM

    1,500euros for each creche tax payers money str8 into insurance companies massive profits, thats money that wont be spent on public infrastructure and public services fine geal keeping the robbery going. The government should found their own insurance to put pressure on private insurance to lower it premiums not do like they did with hap paying for landlords houses and now paying for insurance companies higher profits

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    Mute Matthew O'Kane
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    Dec 18th 2019, 3:11 PM

    all abroad the government insurance profiteer gouging families train, hit us where it hurts most…. our kids, thanks fine geal fianna fail, feeling broke with fine geal

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    Mute Peter Cuthbert
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    Dec 18th 2019, 3:03 PM

    Engagement , is this a polite way of saying please help us

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    Mute John Blessing
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    Dec 18th 2019, 3:55 PM

    Meanwhile Bigfoot spotted in Dublin…

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    Mute ed w
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    Dec 18th 2019, 3:55 PM

    what about all the other insurance concerns while they are at it

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    Mute William Kelly
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    Dec 18th 2019, 3:59 PM

    Rubbish,waste of time, will not achieve a just result for affected services.
    The industry does not give a curse about the Government,is almost totally off shore,totally profit driven,& it has repeatedly run rings around any regulation.
    Minister,it is not an open transparent market,it is a rigged market on some very powerful native interests have a stranglehold,& they will continue to manipulate it to their joint agendas, maximum profit & outrageous fees.
    You need to establish a state 3rd party fund to allow service providers, not alone crèches, but also social & charitable organisations,to operate within the law, & with liability security.
    Just stop perpetually appeasing this industry, & put our people first. If they won’t play fairly, bypass them.
    You make the laws, just make them for us.

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    Mute Brian Flavin
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    Dec 18th 2019, 2:27 PM

    Insurance companies are greedy money

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    Mute Pat Dromey
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    Dec 18th 2019, 7:55 PM

    Unfortunately Irish society depends on an outsourced childcare model. This is the free market, but with a sizeable state subsidy! Huge profits are made (Hyde & Seek Childcare Ltd profits after salaries amounted to almost €2.75 million). This is a competitive business, with smiley face branding.

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    Mute Teresa Ryan
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    Dec 18th 2019, 11:35 PM

    Look it, enough of this nonsense. Childcare facilities and all other businesses should get together and declare that they are going to operate their businesses without public liability insurance.

    What exactly can the government do?

    The same goes for the TV licence. Why do we pay it? A mass boycott is all that’s required.

    We really are a simple minded people to obey stupid laws.

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    Mute Colm Curran
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    Dec 19th 2019, 5:45 PM

    Insurance for childcare facilities will now go up 1500

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    Mute Kath Noonan
    Favourite Kath Noonan
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    Dec 18th 2019, 8:42 PM

    So now, not only are FFG turning a blind eye to the robbery of citizens by insurance companies, they are going to use our taxes to help PAY insurance costs!!

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    Mute Albert Brennerman
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    Dec 18th 2019, 10:29 PM

    Our new found love of the big business and private sector killing us. They fleece us every time. Ireland is small easy to manipulate , claims of a compo culture but it’s greed culture that drives it, our soft touch, industry creating monopolies on the back of unfounded claims of a genetic genes of fraud. Prosecute fraudulent claims but stop letting these cowboys cherry pick profit margins.

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    Mute William Kelly
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    Dec 19th 2019, 7:09 AM

    As a once off emergency gesture of support, it is acceptable, but long term the only viable solution is for the state to establish a 3rd party compensation fund, so that people, crèches, & social organisations can operate within the law, & with liability security.
    The market system is not functioning, competition inadequate, & manipulation evident, so it is urgently necessary to intervene directly.
    There is no point in fiddling about with more investigations & reports, as the vested interests will continue to act in maximum profit & fees interests.
    Just call off this perpetual poker game with our economic & social structures, & do it directly.

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    Mute Desmond Lyons
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    Dec 19th 2019, 3:53 AM

    €1500. Big deal!

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    Mute Vincent #SaveDaredevil
    Favourite Vincent #SaveDaredevil
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    Dec 18th 2019, 4:46 PM

    Engage, how about telling the what yo do to sort it out????

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    Mute Moorooka Mick
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    Dec 18th 2019, 8:14 PM

    The Government needs to do a comprehensive review of Insurance because obviously
    so called market competition is not moderating premium pricing.

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