Make a complaint

Before you start the complaint form

We investigate complaints relating to public services in Ireland such as those from government departments, local authorities and the HSE. We also investigate complaints about private nursing homes.

We do not investigate complaints about banks, insurance companies, internet providers, airline travel, private companies, consumer issues or An Garda Siochána. Find more information on our page about who to contact if we can’t help
We cannot look into a complaint if it is made more than 12 months after you initially complained of the action or you became aware of that action, unless there are very special circumstances
Before you contact us you should first try to resolve your complaint with the relevant service provider. If you are unhappy with the outcome, then you can complain to us. See our advice on how to complain to a public service provider
If your complaint is in relation to the Disability Act please follow the steps on how to make a complaint under the Disability Act

What you will need to complete the form

Before completing this form please check that:

The Ombudsman can investigate a complaint about the service provider. Check our list of service providers or contact us
You have complained to the service provider and allowed it six weeks to respond
You have received a final response to your complaint. (You may complain to us if there is a long delay in the provider replying to you)
You have used the service provider’s appeals process (if they have one)
If more than 12 months have passed since the action or decision that affected you happened, there is a good reason for the delay in contacting us
We will also ask you to upload the following documents, if you have them:

1. The complaint or appeal to the service provider

2. The reply received from the service provider

3. Any other documents that might help us

As it is not possible to save the complaint form, you should have all information to hand, and relevant documents ready to upload, before you begin.

Make a complaint