§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the number of insurance underwriters prepared to quote for public liability insurance for charities working with children in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [98263]
§ Mr. BrowneThere have been a number of reports within the Northern Ireland voluntary and community sector of significant increases in relation to public liability insurance costs. There have also been reports stating that organisations perceived by insurers to represent a greater risk, include groups involving children. I understand that there have been reports throughout the United Kingdom.
To date no assessment has been made of insurance brokers prepared to quote for charities working with children in Northern Ireland. Representatives from the voluntary and community sector are still gathering details of the extent of the problem faced by the sector as a whole in Northern Ireland. This information will be provided in due course to the Joint Government Voluntary and Community Sector Forum. The information will then be relayed to officials in Great Britain who are responsible for this matter on a UK wide basis.