Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 February 2026
188. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether his Department monitors trends in the proportion of complaints to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman which are deemed inadmissible or closed prior to full investigation; and whether any assessment has been made of the impact of such trends on effective consumer access to redress. [9068/26]
View answerThe Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) provides an independent, fair, impartial, confidential and free service to resolve complaints from consumers against financial service providers and pension providers and is independent in the performance of its statutory functions.
Complaints to the FSPO can be resolved through informal mediation, leading to a potential settlement agreed between the parties, or formal investigation and adjudication, leading to a legally binding decision. The FSPO has indicated that each complaint dealt with through their formal investigation process, which requires a legally binding decision, is adjudicated based on the merits of the complaint.
The proportion of complaints closed at various stages of the FSPO process may not be a useful indicator of effective consumer access to redress. For instance, a single decision by the FSPO can lead to financial service or pension providers taking action resulting in other complaints being resolved much earlier in the process.
Each year the FSPO publishes its?Overview of Complaints?which?provides a comprehensive overview?of the complaints received by the FSPO and?the outcomes.
