BackComplaints to the Ombudsman about public services rose by 11% to over 3,500 in 2014. Launching his annual report today (Wednesday 10 June) Ombudsman Peter Tyndall said the increase was mainly due to the additional 200 public bodies which came within his jurisdiction for a full year for the first time in 2014. These included bodies in the education sector such as the State Examinations Commission and Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI).
The Ombudsman said that his office resolves many complaints informally. He is working closely with SUSI and the State Examinations Commission to resolve difficulties faced by parents of school leavers seeking urgent assistance under the RACE scheme prior to state examinations, and third level students applying for education grants.
In today’s report the Ombudsman also welcomed the recommendation of the Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions (PSOP) for his Office to have unambiguous, independent oversight of direct provision centres: "Direct provision accommodation is an area where very vulnerable people are living in poor conditions under the care of the State and which has no independent oversight. The Oireachtas PSOP Committee has called for the abolition of the direct provision system but in the meantime those affected should have the right to complain to my Office or to the Ombudsman for Children as appropriate”.
You can view the entire report via the following link.
Source: Office of the Ombudsman, Ireland
