Irish market grows despite financial crisis

Members of the Dublin International Insurance & Management Association (DIMA) wrote gross premiums of €26.2bn and net premiums of €21.7bn last year, according to the trade body. The totals compared with gross and net figures of €22.0bn and €18.0bn in 2007, although DIMA’s figures are based on a voluntary questionnaire so reporting samples may not be comparable. Assets amounted to €65.1bn and capital & surplus €12.4bn in 2008. The sector employed 876 people last year, its 20th as a centre for international insurance and reinsurance business.