Community and voluntary sector must be protected against serial claimants insists Sligo Councillor
The Sligo Champion“It has become too easy for someone to fall in a playgroup and take a claim against a community group. It doesn’t happen across our European counterparts,” said Cllr Thomas Walsh when addressing the January meeting of Sligo County Council.
In his motion Cllr Walsh called on the local authority to “Write to the Taoiseach, Tanaiste and Minister of State for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance to seek an update on insurance reforms including the introduction of a transparency code and the provision of a cap for certain categories of personal injuries awards to ensure the community and voluntary sector is protected against serial claimants.”
Addressing his motion, Cllr Walsh said, “It is crazy stuff in 2026. People volunteering have to deal with notice of claims. Anybody bringing a second claim it should be notified that you have a first claim.”
Pointing to “A lack of transparency across the insurance sector,” Cllr Wash insisted, “We should have an outright ban on claims in community facilities. This is something Government has to take seriously. The community voluntary sector is in difficulty.
"This should be nipped in the bud. The whole model is towards the claimant. You should be allowed to publish their name, many of these people are multiple claimants.”
Offering his support for the motion, Cllr Gerard Mullaney said, “It is a disgrace that people can become multiple claimants.”
Cllr Marie Casserly also voiced her support saying, “It’s hard to realise this happens. Sometimes groups are not informed, they don’t have the right to reply and then your insurance premium goes up. It’s a very serious issue and volunteers will stop getting involved.”
Cllr Arthur Gibbons was also in agreement saying, “It needs to be pulled into line. It is an abuse that is going on and it has to be rooted out.
Cllr Liam Brennan made a tongue in cheek reference to the infamous 'swing-gate’ involving former Fine Gael TD Maria Bailey when he said, “We all recall a politician who fell off a swing.”
Cllr Barry Gallagher also expressed his frustration at the situation when he said, “People are going around to playgrounds and I’d say if they were checked out they have numerous claims in.”
Cllr Donal Gilroy also voiced his support for Cllr Walsh’s motion when he said, “It is crazy what is going on.”
Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.