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01/07/2009
Complaints To Ombudsman Reach 10-Year High
The office of the Ombudsman has revealed it received a record number of complaints last year.
In its latest annual report, the office says it handled more complaints this year than any other year in the last decade.
Almost 2,800 complaints against public bodies were received in 2008, an increase of 8% on the figure for 2007.
Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly has also used this latest report to express serious concern about the low level of complaints from people with disabilities.
Ms O'Reilly also said the increase, from 2,578 to 2,787 valid complaints, was a result of the growth in the number of people claiming social welfare benefits in 2008 and a better understanding of the public service complaints mechanism.
"This does not necessarily point to a decline in public service standards," she said. "But may be a reflection of the difficult times we live in."
Ms O'Reilly added that many people with disabilities are not given the help they need to make a complaint about a public body and many public servants lacked key knowledge about their responsibilities under the Disability Act.
(DW/BMcc)
In its latest annual report, the office says it handled more complaints this year than any other year in the last decade.
Almost 2,800 complaints against public bodies were received in 2008, an increase of 8% on the figure for 2007.
Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly has also used this latest report to express serious concern about the low level of complaints from people with disabilities.
Ms O'Reilly also said the increase, from 2,578 to 2,787 valid complaints, was a result of the growth in the number of people claiming social welfare benefits in 2008 and a better understanding of the public service complaints mechanism.
"This does not necessarily point to a decline in public service standards," she said. "But may be a reflection of the difficult times we live in."
Ms O'Reilly added that many people with disabilities are not given the help they need to make a complaint about a public body and many public servants lacked key knowledge about their responsibilities under the Disability Act.
(DW/BMcc)
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