Children’s Ombudsman launches free-phone complaints line

VULNERABLE children and their parents and guardians can now contact the Ombudsman for Children’s Office for free to make a complaint about the services affecting them.

The office has received a growing number of calls since it was established in 2004, prompting moves to switch its complaints system from a pay service to a no-cost system.

Of the more than 2,000 complaints made to the office in the past four years, the majority have come from parents and extended family members on behalf of a child. In a minority of cases children themselves have made contact.

Yesterday, Children’s Ombudsman Emily Logan said it was the right time to introduce a free-phone service as in some cases people making the calls may be having financial difficulties.

“Last year my office asked children and parents how to make our complaints service more accessible,” Ms Logan said. “Parents and children told us that having a free-phone number would definitely help, especially for families who may be struggling financially.

“We hope that by launching this free-phone line it will easier for children and families, in particular vulnerable children and families, to contact the office with any concerns they may have about services for children and young people provided by public bodies, schools and hospitals.

“We have a dedicated complaints team who are available to take calls from members of the public including children directly.”

Although the office cannot investigate every call, it has launched a number of investigations on foot of complaints received by children and their parents, extended family or guardians.

The majority of complaints involve organisations providing services to children relating to health, education and housing.

The Ombudsman for Children’s Office free-phone number is 1800 202040, 9am to 5.15pm, Monday to Friday. www.oco.ie