In response to increasing demand for data concerning the dynamic economy and growth markets of Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland, Mintel has developed a series of reports covering a wide variety of sectors within both of these dynamic regions. Each one provides detailed coverage of key drivers as well as providing the very latest volume and value data. Also included are assessments of emerging trends, the activities of existing market players, brand ownership details, supply structures, future scenarios and statistical forecasts.

The Irish Series is segmented in the same manner as Mintel' s UK reports, namely Finance, Leisure, Market, Retail and ' Specials' . This provides unparalleled coverage and will be a must for all companies who are either already active in this region, or will be looking to enter these distinct marketplaces in the future.

• Introduction
• Geographical, national and regional definitions
• Definitions
• Conversion factors
• Abbreviations
• Summary of Key Findings
• All-Ireland earned premiums reach €1.2 billion in 2006
• Almost 50% of RoI population covered by PMI, 15% in NI
• The Irish get health-conscious -- and cheaper PMI as a result
• Aging population to drive premiums up in NI?
• Earning power and employment
• Need for more diverse competition in RoI
• Opportunities for targeting younger consumers in RoI
• Low penetration for corporate cover -- an opportunity for providers?
• Internal Market Environment
• Key Points
• Critical illness rates on the rise in NI
  • Figure 1: Admissions to hospital with a diagnosis of serious illness, by type, NI, 2001-05
• Alcohol sales to decline in RoI...
  • Figure 2: Forecast volume sales of alcohol, RoI, 2005-12
• ...while remaining relatively static in NI
  • Figure 3: Forecast volume sales of alcohol, NI, 2005-12*
• More NI smokers stubbing it out -- for good
  • Figure 4: Proportion of smokers in general population (%), RoI and NI, 2004 and 2006
• Rise of the ' metrosexual' triggers a rush to the treadmill
  • Figure 5: Gym membership (%), RoI and NI, 2002-06
• Corporate cover -- an attractive proposition for employees
• Health concerns top the scale in Ireland
  • Figure 6: Response to question ' thinking of things which may concern or worry you, which of these, if any are of most concern right now?' , NI and RoI, 2006
  • Figure 7: Consumers who choose ' healthcare issues' as a concern, by demographic groups, NI and RoI, 2006
• Consumer faith in the NHS and HSE dented?
  • Figure 8: Number of individuals on waiting lists for inpatient treatment, NI and RoI, 2001-06
• Will state healthcare remain a government spending priority?
• Does private healthcare mean better healthcare?
• Private subscribers feeling the pinch?
• The sweet smell of excess
• Danger of cutting cover too far
• ' Risk equalisation' deals a blow to RoI competition
• Something to be learnt from the Australian model?
• ...by penalising late joiners
• Broader Market Environment
• Key Points
• Aging population leads to demand on public health services
  • Figure 9: Population change by age group, RoI, 2000-20
  • Figure 10: Population change by age group, NI, 2000-20
  • Figure 11: Life expectancy at birth, men and women, NI and RoI, 1986-2014
• Higher numbers in employment
  • Figure 12: Health of the economy, RoI and NI, 2005-07
• ' Golden years' increasingly delayed for many -- consumers working for longer
  • Figure 13: Percentage in employment, by age group, NI and RoI, 2000-05
• Rapid increase in premiums for older consumers
  • Figure 14: Relative PMI premium increase trends, by age, NI, 2007
• Market Size and Trends
• Key Points
• 50% of consumers covered in RoI, but just 10% in NI
  • Figure 15: Number of PMI subscribers, RoI and NI, 2001-06
• All-Ireland premium income tops €1.2 billion in 2006
  • Figure 16: Volume of PMI premiums, RoI and NI, 2001-06
• Claims rise by two-thirds, fuelling premium hikes
  • Figure 17: Volume of PMI claims, RoI and NI, 2001-06
• Market Segmentation
• Individual PMI the most common form in Ireland
  • Figure 18: Individual vs corporate cover (as %of all policies held), RoI and NI, 2006
• Companies and Products
• Key Points
• RoI
  • Figure 19: Market share of health insurance providers, RoI
• Voluntary Health Insurance Board (VHI)
  • Figure 20: VHI financial results, 2002-06
• BUPA Ireland
• Vivas Healthcare
• Changing customer profiles in RoI
• NI
• AXA PPP Healthcare
• BCWA Healthcare
• BUPA
• HSA (Hospital Savings Association)
• Norwich Union Healthcare
• PruHealth
• Standard Life Healthcare
• Tesco Health Insurance
• Channels to Market
• Key Points
• Wide distribution of private hospitals in RoI
  • Figure 21: Major private hospitals in RoI and NI, 2007
• The Consumer
• Key Points
• RoI PMI penetration triple that of NI
  • Figure 22: PMI penetration, RoI and NI, 2001-06
• Older and more affluent consumers choose PMI in RoI...
  • Figure 23: PMI penetration by various demographics, RoI and NI, 2004 and 2006
• ...whereas NI penetration peaks in middle age
• ABC1s have highest levels of ownership
• Unconstrained Couples exhibit highest growth
• ' Stripped-down' policies growing in popularity?
  • Figure 24: PMI ownership by type of policy, RoI, 2001-06
• Similar trends in NI, consumers more willing to pay excesses
  • Figure 25: PMI ownership by type of policy, NI, 2001-06
• Two thirds of RoI policyholders have individual cover in 2006
  • Figure 26: How premiums are paid, RoI, 2001-06
• Corporate cover on the increase in NI
  • Figure 27: How premiums are paid, NI, 2001-06
• Attitudes
  • Figure 27: Agreement with selected financial statements, RoI and NI, 2004 and 2006
• The Future
• Market competitiveness in RoI is a key issue
• Are ' no claims' bonuses and ' healthy living discounts' the future?
• Waiting lists decline in NI -- but has the damage been done?
• Targeting the younger consumer
• Greater product transparency needed
• Forecast
  • Figure 28: Forecast number of PMI subscribers, RoI, NI and all-Ireland, 2006-11
• Earned premiums to rise by over 50% by 2011
  • Figure 29: Forecast volume of PMI premiums, RoI, NI and all-Ireland, 2006-11
• Claims to prove ever more costly for providers
  • Figure 30: Forecast volume of PMI claims, RoI, NI and all-Ireland, 2006-11
• Appendix
• Lifestage
  • Figure 31: Lifestage definitions and lifestages as percentage of population, RoI and NI, 2005
  • Figure 32: Forecast population change (000s), by age group, RoI, 2000-20
  • Figure 33: Forecast population change (000s), by age group, NI, 2000-20