Public bodies trying to find patterns as figures reveal 'staggering' level of insurance claims

The level of insurance claims paid out on behalf of local authorities so far this year has been labelled "staggering" by a leading hotelier.

It comes after figures released under the Freedom of Information Act, showed €43m was paid out on behalf of 28 councils in the first nine months of the year. Last year the cost was €47m over 12 months.