Grants for hardship

duberry · 04-02-2026 09:31PM #1

Car and property insurance companies should not be allowed to increase fees due to flood and storm damage, as has happened and will inevitably happen again. We are being gauged by them. As the government has found funds to assist those who have had the misfortune to suffer from the recent floods, the inevitability of price hikes from the insurance companies will put all of us under more financial pressure.

Funds could be made available to make sure we are safeguarded from this.

JVince · 04-02-2026 09:41PM

Eh?

Do you know how insurance works?

In Ireland, car and home insurance is amongst the LOWEST in Europe. Massively lower than the UK (including Northern Ireland)

That's why sinn fein don't bleat about it because they know Ireland comes near the bottom of the table for insurance cost whereas Northern Ireland, where sf is in government,is near the top.

My house insurance this year is just over €400. Same rebuilding cost (550k) and same contents (80k) in the UK in a similar area comes in at over £800 for the lowest quote.

Government hasn't just brought in the hardship fund - it's been there for years

coylemj · 06-02-2026 05:08PM

As the government has found funds to assist those who have had the misfortune to suffer from the recent floods, the inevitability of price hikes from the insurance companies will put all of us under more financial pressure.

What are you talking about?

L1011 · 06-02-2026 05:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058432170/grants-for-hardship

If they aren't allowed charge for the risks, they will simply refuse to insure at all.

Cabaal · 12-02-2026 12:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058432170/grants-for-hardship

So if somebody buys or builds a house on a flood plane you think the Irish tax payer should fund that persons continued decision to live in that spot which will result in countless claims?

Thats not good use of tax payer money.

We need to make hard decisions in this country, that includes relocating people.
We simply cannot build flood defenses everywhere.

The data exists for people to see where flooding occurs and is likely occured in the future, people largely ignore this data.

People should be helped within reason including with relocating, but it most certaibnly shouldn't be a blank cheque for somebody to stay in an area which will result in numerous future claims.

Even locally I've seen people continue to buy and build on flood planes and areas which are known to flood. I've also seen non-local people ignore local advice in relation to building locations and plow money into large projects which are always going to be flooded. Then they go running to TD's/Cllrs about the issue. Its a joke.

Xterminator · 12-02-2026 12:57PM

It seems tone deaf to suggest working people who may never be able to buy a home and will never have that security, should have their taxes used to reimburse people who own their own homes, and will own that asset into their retirement.
Not sure if OP can see how a student/recent graduate working and paying mad rent will think of this suggestion.

So no, i do not think the taxpayer should fix up peoples homes. To be frank, i think it is an insurance issue.

If homeowners cannot find insurance perhaps the government should step in there and make insurers offer cover or have a state backed insurer.

I would see homelessness and hospital waiting lists as far higher priorities for a taxpayer.

Grants for hardship

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