Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 4

Written Answers. - Credit Institutions' Ombudsman.

Liz O'Donnell

Question:

41 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he will report on the number of complaints dealt with to date by the credit institutions' ombudsman; the proposals, if any, there are to extend his powers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19211/96]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

The ombudsman for the credit institutions has no statutory functions and thus is not required to report to me on his activities.

I understand that the role of the ombudsman is to receive and consider certain types of unresolved complaints from individuals and small companies in relation to the provision of customer services by the participating credit institutions in order to facilitate their resolution or the withdrawal of such complaints.

I am also informed that the services of the Ombudsman are provided free of charge to would-be complainants; that while his activities are financed by the participating institutions, which comprise all licensed banks, Trustee Savings Bank, building societies, ACC Bank plc and ICC Bank plc, the ombudsman is independent of these institutions in the performance of his functions, and that the ombudsman publishes an annual report on the investigation of complaints.