Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2025
288. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the number of consumer complaints previously submitted to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman which at the end of 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 were in the formal investigation process but awaiting a preliminary or legally binding decision by the ombudsman, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56620/25]
View answerThe number of active complaints received by the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO), which did not have a preliminary decision or legally binding decision issued in the years requested, are set out in Table 1 below.
Table 1
|
Year (31 Dec) |
Number of active complaints which did not have a preliminary decision or legally binding decision issued |
|
2020 |
n/a* |
|
2021 |
2,296 |
|
2022 |
2,390 |
|
2023 |
2,514 |
|
2024 |
2,727 |
*The FSPO did not collect data in this format for the years preceding 2021.
While recent data provided by the FSPO indicates that 86% of complaints are closed within 12 months, some, generally more complex complaints, are taking longer to resolve. This reflects the fact that FSPO adjudications are legally binding and therefore must follow due process.
In recent years the number of complaints received by the FSPO has increased, as has the number of complaints being closed annually as set out in Table 2 below.
Table 2
|
Year |
Received |
Closed |
|
2022 |
4,781 |
4,647 |
|
2023 |
6,182 |
5,184 |
|
2024 |
6,185 |
5,907 |
