People often contact us about organisations or issues that we cannot help with. The following organisations may be able to advise you on how to take your complaint forward.
The offices of the Financial Services Ombudsman and the Pensions Ombudsman were merged in 2017 to form the FSPO. The FSPO was established by the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Act 2017. It is an independent office that helps resolve complaints with pension providers and regulated financial services providers.
The main purpose of the Ombudsman for Children is to safeguard and promote the rights and interests of children and young people under the age of 18. The Ombudsman for Children Act 2002 describes in detail what the Ombudsman can do.
The Ombudsman for the Defence Forces examines complaints made by serving or former members of the Defence Forces, about actions taken by serving or former members of the Defence Forces or civil servants, where there is a negative effect.
The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is an independent legal agency responsible for receiving and dealing with all complaints made by members of the public about the conduct of members of the Garda Síochána.
The Agriculture Appeals Office is an independent, statutory body that provides an appeals service to farmers if they are unhappy with decisions made by the Department of Agriculture and Food about applications for grant aid.
The Tax Appeals Commission are responsible for carrying out the legal duties assigned under the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 and related legislation, mostly hearing appeals by taxpayers against decisions of the Revenue Commissioners concerning taxes and duties.
An Bord Pleanála is an independent legal body that, among other things, deals with appeals against local authorities about decisions to grant or refuse planning permission. Decisions of An Bord Pleanála cannot be examined by the Ombudsman.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office operates independently of the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the Social Welfare Services Office. It is headed by the Chief Appeals Officer, who is also Director of the Office. If you disagree with the decision of the Deciding Officer of the Social Welfare Services concerning your entitlements, you can appeal it to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
An Coimisinéir Teanga is an independent legal office holder who monitors whether public bodies have abided by the requirements of the Official Languages Act 2003 and examines complaints in relation to non-compliance.
The Data Protection Commissioner is an independent statutory office holder whose primary function is to protect the rights of individuals in relation to personal data kept about them, whether on computer or in manual systems.
ComReg is the legal body responsible for regulating the electronic communications sector (telecommunications, radiocommunications and broadcasting transmission) and the postal sector. Under the terms of the Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Act 2011, legal responsibility for examining complaints about An Post postal services was removed from the Office of the Ombudsman with effect from 2 August 2011. Under the Act, responsibility for examining complaints about postal services was transferred to ComReg.
CRU is Ireland’s independent energy and water regulator. It was previously known as the Commission for Energy Regulation. CRU has a wide range of economic, customer protection and safety responsibilities in energy and water. Its mission is to regulate water, energy and energy safety in the public interest.
HIQA is an independent authority responsible for quality, safety and accountability in residential services for children, older people and people with disabilities in Ireland. It is responsible for advancing improvements in the quality and safety of healthcare on behalf of patients. HIQA develops standards, monitors compliance with standards and carries out investigations where there are reasonable grounds to do so.
Subject to the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003, the Information Commissioner may conduct reviews of decisions by public bodies about requests for access to information. They may also carry out investigations at any time into the practices and procedures adopted by public bodies to abide by the Freedom of Information Acts.
The Standards in Public Office Commission oversees compliance with the Ethics Acts insofar as they apply to office holders (e.g. the Taoiseach, Ministers and Ministers of State), the Attorney General, Ministerial special advisers, senior civil servants, and directors and executives of specified public bodies. The role of the Standards Commission was extended by the Electoral Acts, which give the Standards Commission a monitoring role in relation to limits on and disclosure of political donations, limiting of election expenditure, public funding of qualified political parties, reimbursement of expenses incurred by certain election candidates and registration of third parties.
Citizens Information provides information on public services and rights in Ireland. It is supported by the Citizens Information Board.
The CCPC is an independent legal body with a dual mandate to enforce competition and consumer protection law in Ireland. Its mission is to make markets work better for consumers and businesses. The CCPC was established on 31 October 2014 after the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority were merged.
The Ombudsman Association is an association of ombudsmen and other organisations from the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Its aims include encouraging, developing and safeguarding the role and title of Ombudsman in both the public and private sectors.
The Office of the European Ombudsman was established in 1992 by the Maastricht Treaty to handle complaints about maladministration by the institutions and bodies of the European Union. The role of the European Ombudsman is to safeguard the fundamental rights of citizens living in Europe by ensuring open and accountable administrations within the European Union.
The International Ombudsman Institute’s aims include promoting the concept of Ombudsman and encouraging its development throughout the world. The organisation maintains a useful page of links listing its international members.