The CILA and the III mutually acknowledge qualifications

The III has formally recognised the Cert CILA and ACILA qualifications from the CILA as the international gold standard for claims professionals.

The CILA has also recognised the III's own Professional Diploma in Insurance and Diploma in Loss Adjusting qualifications as part exemption towards the formal ACILA qualification.

In practice, this means that any III members who successfully complete either the Professional Diploma in Insurance or Diploma in Loss Adjusting qualification will now not only meet the minimum competency requirements set out by the Central Bank of Ireland, but will also receive an exemption from module C1 of CILA's associate examinations.

The announcement comes as a result of the latest visit by the CILA president and the executive director to Dublin in March to seek to foster a greater sense of cooperation between the III and the CILA in Ireland, and recognise each others' strengths for the mutual benefit of their members.

The CILA will also be supporting the establishment of a regional focus group in the Republic of Ireland.

The focus group will keep the CILA abreast of the issues and concerns affecting claims professionals in Ireland today and will allow the institute to better represent its members' needs and work towards offering practical solutions. The focus group will also equally provide a vehicle to promote the CILA and its members to the Irish market.

Andrew Homewood, president of the CILA, commented: "I am delighted that the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters receives such excellent support from the Insurance Institute of Ireland. The CILA in Ireland can offer claims professionals a complementary dedicated support network and resource and there is a clear commitment from the III to work closely with our members in the region.

"In today's global environment insurance institutes around the world should seek to foster a greater sense of cooperation for the mutual benefit of their members. I am also very impressed with the excellent educational training material and courses produced by III, which cover the broad spectrum of insurance business."