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Government · Ireland
Updated September 2026

⚖️ A public body treated me unfairly — how do I complain to the ombudsman?

Direct answer

The ombudsman — Office of the Ombudsman (01 639 5600) — investigates how public bodies act: delays, silence, rudeness, lost files, refusal to explain, unequal treatment. It is free, independent, and its reports carry weight. Two conditions in most countries: you complained to the body itself first, and the complaint is within a deadline (often one year). The ombudsman does not overturn decisions — for that, object and appeal (see that page); Legal Aid Board / FLAC (0818 615 200) helps with the legal route; High Court — judicial review (courts.ie) is the court. Many countries have specialised ombudsmen too (children, patients, financial) — Office of the Ombudsman redirects you.

Call firstOffice of the Ombudsman
Report toLegal Aid Board / FLAC
If that failsHigh Court — judicial review

🗣️ What to say

"I complain about [body] concerning [what happened, dates]. I raised this with them on [date] and [no answer / an unsatisfactory answer, attached]. I consider their conduct [unreasonable / unfair / negligent] because [reasons]. I ask you to investigate and to recommend [what]."

🪜 Step by step

  1. Complain to the body firstIn writing; keep it. The ombudsman will ask for it.
  2. Within the deadlineUsually a year from the conduct, sometimes less. Later is possible with a reason.
  3. Complaint to Office of the OmbudsmanOnline form: what happened, what you did, what you want. Attach the correspondence.
  4. InvestigationThe ombudsman asks the body for its side, may look at the file, and issues findings and recommendations. Months, not weeks.
  5. Decision itself wrong? Legal Aid Board / FLAC, High Court — judicial reviewThe legal route runs in parallel and has its own deadline — do not wait for the ombudsman to appeal.

📇 All contacts

Office of the OmbudsmanComplaints about public bodies, freeWhen a public body does not answer or acts unfairly📞 01 639 5600🔗 www.ombudsman.ie
Legal Aid Board / FLACCivil legal aid on low income; free legal advice clinics (FLAC)When you cannot afford a solicitor📞 0818 615 200🔗 www.legalaidboard.ie
High Court — judicial reviewJudicial review of public decisions (strict 3-month limit)Within 3 months of the decision🔗 www.courts.ie

❓ Frequently asked

Is the ombudsman's decision binding?

Recommendations are not binding, but public bodies follow the vast majority and parliament publishes those that do not.

Can I complain about the police, a hospital, a school?

Yes, for public services; some have their own complaints bodies first. Office of the Ombudsman's site lists which.

Can the ombudsman award compensation?

It can recommend it, and many bodies pay on recommendation. For a right to compensation, the court.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “ombudsman complaint Ireland”
  • “complain about government office unfair”
  • “ombudsman deadline complaint”
  • “public body no answer complaint”
  • “maladministration complaint”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

📩Object to a decision→📂Information request→💡Broken streetlight→🗑️Illegal dumping→

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