Office of the Ombudsman, Ireland
Contact Information

The Office of the Ombudsman is open between 9.15 and 5.30 Monday to Thursday and 9.15 to 5.15 on Friday.

18 Lr. Leeson Street, Dublin 2.

Tel: +353-1-639 5600

Lo-call: 1890 223030

Fax: (01) 639 5674 Email: ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.ie

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Annual Report of the Ombudsman 2004

05.07.2005 Annual Report of the Ombudsman 2004

The Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, has today published her Annual Report for 2004. This report covers Emily O'Reilly's first full year in office since taking up duty as Ombudsman on 1 June 2003. The Ombudsman reports annually to the Oireachtas and the general public on the work of the Office and on issues and cases of interest arising during the year. The 2004 report is of particular importance as it marks the twentieth anniversary of the Office of the Ombudsman in Ireland and in it she calls for the office to be given constitutional status.

Chapter 1

Chapter 1 - Introduction

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 - The Ombudsman and Older People

Chapter 2 - Department of Agriculture and Food - Rural Environment Protection Scheme

Chapter 2 - Department of Social and Family Affairs - Carer's Allowance

Chapter 2 - South Western Area Health Board - Medical Card

Chapter 2 - Western Health Board - Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme

Chapter 2 - East Coast Area Health Board - Nursing Home Fees

Chapter 3 - Selected Cases

Civil Service

Chapter 3 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners - Dispute Over Bogus Non-Resident Account

Chapter 3 - Department of Agriculture and Food - Farm Improvement Grant Refused

Chapter 3 - Department of Education and Science - Enrolment Application Refused

Chapter 3 - Department of Education and Science - Compensation for Loss of Purchasing Power

Chapter 3 - Department of Social and Family Affairs - Deserted Wife’s Allowance Refused

Chapter 3 - Department of Social and Family Affairs - Arrears of Invalidity Pension Refused

Local Authorities

Chapter 3 - Galway County Council - Planning Objection Rejected

Chapter 3 - Dublin City Council - Misleading Signs Lead to Parking Fine

Chapter 3 - North Tipperary County Council - Unreasonable Use of Statutory Powers

Chapter 3 - Tipperary Town Council - Housing Application Refused

Chapter 3 - Wexford County Council - Planning Administration Procedures Amended Health Boards

Health Boards

Chapter 3 - Midland Health Board - Application for Domiciliary Care Allowance Refused

Chapter 3 - Northern Area Health Board - Dispute Over Scope of Nursing Home Subvention

Chapter 3 - North Eastern Health Board - Entitlement to Nursing Home Subvention Refused

Chapter 3 - North Western Health Board - Complaint Over Inadequate Service

Chapter 4 - The Year in Review

Business Planning Activity in 2004

Chapter 4 - Case Management

Chapter 4 - Client Service Charter

Chapter 4 - Relations with Public Bodies within Remit

Chapter 4 - Internal Customer Service

Chapter 4 - Induction Training

Chapter 4 - Gender Equality

Chapter 4 - Rewards and Motivation

Chapter 4 - Training and Development Strategy

Chapter 4 - Better Financial Management and Accountability

Chapter 4 - Website Upgrades

Chapter 4 - The Official Languages Act 2003

Chapter 4 - Civil Service Performance Verification Group

Local Authorities

Chapter 4 - Twentieth Anniversary Conference

Chapter 4 - The Ombudsman’s Remit

Chapter 4 - The Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour

Chapter 4 - Public Access and Awareness

Chapter 4 - Visitors to my Office

Chapter 4 - Notices issued under Section 7 of the Ombudsman Act, 1980

Issues Arising from Individual Complaints

Chapter 4 - Nursing Home Charges

Chapter 4 - Blind Welfare Allowance

Chapter 4 - Maternity Benefit

Chapter 4 - Insurance Protection for Local Authority Mortgage Holders

Chapter 4 - Health Declaration for Mortgage Protection

Chapter 4 - Charges for Planning Documents

Chapter 4 - Honouring Commitments

Chapter 4 - Tax Relief for Drivers with Disabilities

Chapter 4 - Refund of PRSI Contributions

Chapter 5

1. Overview of 2004 Complaints

2. 10 Year Trend of Valid Complaints Received

3. Analysis of Valid Complaints Received in 2004

4. Three Year Comparison - Valid Complaints Received

5. Civil Service - Valid Complaints Received in 2004

6. Local Authorities - Valid Complaints Received in 2004

7. Health Boards - Valid Complaints Received in 2004

8. An Post - Valid Complaints Received in 2004

9. (a) Department of Social and Family Affairs - Breakdown by Main Categories of Complaint Received in 2004

9. (b) Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development - Breakdown by Main Categories of Complaint Received in 2004

9. (c) Department of Education and Science - Breakdown by Main Categories of Complaint Received in 2004

9. (d) Office of the Revenue Commissioners - Breakdown by Main Categories of Complaint Received in 2004

9. (e) Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform - Breakdown by Main Categories of Complaint Received in 2004

9. (f) Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government - Breakdown by Main Categories of Complaint Received in 2004

9. (g) Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources - Breakdown by Main Categories of Complaint Received in 2004

9. (h) Department of Health and Children - Breakdown by Main Categories of Complaint Received in 2004

9. (i) Department of Transport - Breakdown by Main Categories of Complaint Received in 2004

9. (j) Department of Foreign Affairs - Breakdown by Main Categories of Complaint Received in 2004

9. (k) Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment - Breakdown by Main Categories of Complaint Received in 2004

10. Local Authorities - Breakdown by Main Categories of Complaint Received in 2004

11. Health Boards - Breakdown by Main Categories of Complaint Received in 2004

12. Valid Complaints Received by County in 2004

13. Analysis of Complaints Completed in 2004

14. Civil Service - Complaints Completed in 2004

15. Local Authorities - Complaints Completed in 2004

16. Health Boards - Complaints Completed in 2004

17. An Post - Complaints Completed in 2004

18. Analysis of Invalid Complaints Received in 2004

Chapter 6

Chapter 6 - Staff

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