Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Tuesday, 24 June 2025
Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen
Engagement with the Office of the Ombudsman
2:00 am
Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Less than half of that will do. During the storm in January, Deputy Dolan and I had a huge amount of contact with the ESB. I represent Cavan-Monaghan and Deputy Dolan represents east Galway. We were very adversely impacted by the storm. The ESB was top class in trying to respond to us, making efforts and even ringing vulnerable customers that we made representations about, all of that. The telecoms providers leave a lot to be desired, every day. It is an area we might try to explore as a committee.
I am delighted Mr. Deering mentioned the inappropriate setting for so many young people with disabilities in nursing homes. We all know people who are in the wrong settings. I am glad his office and he as Ombudsman will be vigilant and persistent in this. It is an issue that needs to be improved. There must be a new setting for those people who have enough adversity to face every day without being in the wrong setting. The primary medical certificate issue is going on for far too long. I sincerely hope for the day when at least one parent Department takes ownership of it and makes it a feasible scheme. The conditions for a person to qualify today are unbelievably demanding and challenging. It is not fit for purpose.
Did I take Mr. Deering up correctly that of the complaints about Departments, Social Protection is first and foreign affairs second?