Which Ombudsman deals with which complaint?

Which Ombudsman deals with which complaint?

A new guide to finding the correct Ombudsman to deal with your complaint was launched by Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl and Rónán Ó Domhnaill, Chair of the Irish Ombudsman Network.

‘Ombudsman Offices in Ireland’ features the seven main ‘Ombudsman’ offices and also lists other complaint handlers in Ireland. An Ombudsman is independent of government, and provides free and objective help to citizens when they have problems with services provided by the State and other organisations.

The seven ‘Ombudsman’ offices are:

• The Office of the Ombudsman examines complaints from people who have been unfairly treated by public service providers such as government departments, local authorities and the HSE.

• The Ombudsman for Children investigates complaints about public bodies that make decisions about children and young people under the age of eighteen. The Office also promotes the rights and welfare of children.

• The Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) seeks to resolve complaints about the conduct of financial service providers and pension providers.

• The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) deals with complaints about the conduct of Gardaí.

• An Coimisinéir Teanga (the Irish Language Commissioner) enquires into complaints from the public where it is alleged that public bodies may have failed to comply with the Official Languages Act 2003.

• The Ombudsman for the Defence Forces (ODF) investigates complaints made by serving or former members of the Irish Defence Forces who feel they have been unfairly treated by the Defence Forces or the Department of Defence.

• The Press Ombudsman considers complaints from the public about articles in newspapers, magazines and online publications that may be in breach of the Code of Practice of the Press Council of Ireland.

The guide was compiled and edited by the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman and is available on the websites of all the Ombudsman offices. Hard copies can be requested from the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman by e mailing info@fspo.ie