Longford TD calls on 'greedy insurer' not to restrict community activities

Longford  TD, Joe Flaherty has accused insurance company, Allianz,  ‘of wanton greed and abandoning marginalised communities’ as its restrictions on insurance cover hampers the capacity of school based CLÁR funded programmes to be open to the general public.

The CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of population decline.

Several schools have successfully applied to the scheme for activity trails and playgrounds.  

Longford / Westmeath Fianna Fáil Deputy Flaherty pointed out that CLÁR has proven very popular in his home county. 

Among the local schools to benefit were: St Mary’s NS, Newtowncashel - multi use games area - €49,966; Lenamore NS, Legan – specialist sensory garden with musical play equipment - €24,689; Ballymahon VS – multi use games area - €36,792;  Moyne CS – multi use games area  - €50,000; Lanesboro Primary School – Agility trail - €17,329 and Sacred Heart Primary School Granard – outdoor covered area & raised beds - €33,300. 

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Deputy Flaherty explained that the conditions attached to the CLÁR programme require that such facilities be available for wider community use. “Many schools in CLÁR areas are willing to make their playground facilities available for community use and have received support under the programme on that basis.”

Allianz is the principal insurer for Irish schools and Deputy Flaherty has expressed disappointment that one of the biggest insurance companies in the world has taken issue with the requirement for wider community use.

In advice furnished to the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois in relation to the requirements of CLÁR funding for developments on school property, Allianz suggested that if facilities are open to the public “they attract a significant exposure as they place an enormous legal liability on behalf of the property owner.” 

Based on this, the diocese has informed schools who have undertaken CLÁR developments that it is imperative they increase their insurance cover so they are adequately insured. The diocese also says it will not be in a position to give consent for any future developments to be undertaken with CLÁR funding in the schools. 

Deputy Flaherty said, “The advice from Allianz comes after the company posted record €14.2bn profits for 2022. And nor have their results shown any signs of inflationary or cost of living pressures as their Q4  results surged by 12.7% to €4bn.” 

Commenting on those results, Allianz CEO Oliver Baete outlined that they ‘consolidated their position as one of the world’s largest, most resilient, and trusted global financial institutions’.

However, the local TD said those words will ring hollow in rural Ireland where “the goodwill of school boards’ of management and local committees have brought about badly needed local facilities.”

Deputy Flaherty urged Allianz to rethink their position and concluded, “It seems corporate responsibility is now lost in a haze of profiteering.”

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