Name and shame list urged to cut insurance costs

KERRY County Council has been urged to publish a name and shame list of compensation claimants in an effort to reduce its spiralling insurance costs.

The council paid a €2 million insurance premium in 2003, up 40% on the previous year.

Head of finance John O’Connor said management had undertaken an array of measures to help scale down claims.

Emphasis had been placed on introducing safe methods of work into all the council’s outdoor activities, including adequate warning signs, reflective clothing and training courses, he added.

Mr O’Connor said there were hopeful signs of worthwhile reductions arising from a decline in the current number of claims.

FF councillor Ted Fitzgerald said the €500,000 premium increase in 2003 would have done a lot of useful work for the council.

FF councillor Norma Foley said Tralee Town Council had experienced a substantial reduction in the number of claims after it published a list of claimants, but it had to be recognised there would always be legitimate claims.

“Tralee Town Council has been hugely successful in this area and may provide a guide for the county council.” Mr O’Connor said the council had an open mind on the issue, but publishing a list of names was something that had been done before and it had not worked so well.

Meanwhile, the county council has set aside €350,000 for an extension to its headquarters at Rathass, Tralee, and some staff will be moved to other buildings in Tralee town on a temporary basis.

Cllr John Brassil asked that staff in some departments, including environment and revenue, not be moved as it would be a severe disadvantage to the public.

County manager Martin Riordan said temporary accommodation had been secured at Maine Street, Tralee, and in the former council headquarters, the Ashe Memorial Hall.

The environment section will move to Maine Street and the revenue section to the Ashe Memorial Hall.

“The renting of additional accommodation in Tralee should result in a much improved service to our customers,” said Mr Riordan.

Annual rent for the Maine Street offices will be €84,700; car parking will cost €20,000 and rates €15,484. Rent for the Ashe Memorial Hall will be €40,000; car parking €10,000 and rates €4,500.