Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The work plan update in terms of the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman was published a number of years ago. Extra resources and extra staff have been allocated to try to deal with cases in a much more timely and efficient manner. The consumer protection code I referred to, which I launched last week, is to try to deal with instances before they ever get to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman to ensure financial institutions honour their responsibility, first and foremost, in the protection of the customer. An enhanced consumer code gives the financial institutions clear guidelines on what they have to do. There are measures in the code for training when it comes to dealing with vulnerable people. This is why I referred to the code. We are trying to get these issues dealt with in a much more timely way. I do not know whether Senator Stephenson heard the ombudsman on "Morning Ireland" last week, on the day the annual report was launched. What that office is trying to do is work with the financial institutions to educate them on their responsibilities. The FSPO does not really want to see cases ending up on its desk. They should be dealt with far more effectively and efficiently and they can be dealt with far more effectively in the institutions themselves. We have seen a new consumer code published, and training on vulnerable people is part of this. We have seen additional resources and staff given to the FSPO so people will have their rights vindicated in a timely fashion.