A record number of complaints were made about public services to the Ombudsman last year.

The office received a high level of complaints about local authorities, Government departments and the HSE.

Overall, 4,004 complaints were received in 2021.

Where complaints came from in 2021. Source: Office of the Ombudsman

While 221 complaints were about the education sector, that compares with 231 in 2020.

The main subjects of complaints about education were:

• State Examinations Commission (39)
• HEAR/DARE - Higher Education Access Route/Disability Access Route to Education (38)
• Student Universal Support Ireland - SUSI (24)
• University College Dublin (18)

Source: Office of the Ombudsman

Ombudsman Ger Deering told Newstalk Breakfast some bodies take feedback onboard better than others.

"The largest proportion of complaints last year have come from the local authority sector.

"That's the first time that that sector actually has had the highest number of complaints.

"We've seen a reduction in complaints against some Government departments, particularly departments that would have had a high number in the past.

"This demonstrates that where organisations take complaints seriously, and use them as feedback, they can use that to improve their services and in the long-run reduce complaints".

Source: Office of the Ombudsman

Housing and planning

He says the largest local authority complaints are around housing and planning.

"In the housing area, it's around the allocation of houses, it's around the supports that are available - things like the HAP... and the qualifications around that."

And he believes there is another area where complaints could easily be reduced, or even eliminated.

"Local authorities have to do an assessment each year of housing applicants.

"Many local authorities write out once a year - in writing, in post - to applicants.

"But I think we all know, at this stage, that people are moving because they have to move - they're not staying in the same accommodation - a lot of people aren't receiving post.

"I think local authorities need to look at better ways, and more modern ways of communicating with people on their housing list".

Main image: File photo showing a complaints folder in a directory. Picture by: Illia Uriadnikov / Alamy Stock Photo