Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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69. To ask the Minister for Finance the total amount expended on mediation services by the Financial Ombudsman annually in the 2014 to 2016 period in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39228/16]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Firstly, I must point out that the Financial Services Ombudsman is independent in the performance of his statutory functions.  I have no role in the day to day workings of the office.

However, the Financial Services Ombudsman has informed me that the Financial Services Ombudsman Bureau does not have a system of recording the cost of mediation separately. This is because the resolution of any complaint can involve different processes; including mediation, investigation and adjudication.

The Ombudsman has informed me that 2016 marked the start of a significant three year change programme by the Bureau.  The key element of this change programme is the introduction of a dedicated Dispute Resolution Service to mediate and resolve disputes at an early stage as quickly and as informally as possible.  This service was initiated in February 2016.Prior to 2016, the primary means of closing complaints was through formal adjudication. 

The table provides total expenditure involved in managing all complaints, the total number of complaints closed and number of complaints recorded as involving mediation:- 

* The figures for 2016 are to the end of October and initial estimates.