Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
1229. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health if complaints have been made to the Mental Health Commission, the HSE, or her Department concerning a hospital (details supplied) in the past five years; the number and nature of those complaints; and the outcomes. [10497/26]
View answerUnder the existing Mental Health Act and the 2006 Approved Centre Regulations made thereunder, all approved centres (i.e. inpatient services) must have a clear complaints process that can be availed of by people accessing services.
In line with the 2006 Regulations, each approved centre must have a complaints procedure in place, such as the HSE’s ‘Your Service, Your Say’ service, the same as general health services. I further note that 'Your Service, Your Say' is available to anyone accessing HSE mental health services, be that on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Following the investigation of the complaint by the HSE, an individual may request an internal review to be carried out by the HSE, if they are not happy with the outcome.
Furthermore, in cases where the complainant is not satisfied with the response to their complaint, they can request an external review from the Office of the Ombudsman, or in the case of child and adolescent services, the Office of the Ombudsman for Children. This option is available to anyone who accesses our public health services, be it mental health services or otherwise.
This complaints process is the standard route for the receipt of complaints.
The Mental Health Commission has no role in receiving complaints about services.
I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible in relation to HSE-received complaints.
