11/10/2026
Speaking at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen on 22 September, Ombudsman Ger Deering has called for the extension of the Ombudsman remit to investigate complaints about the administration of the law in relation to immigration and naturalisation.
The Ombudsman said:
“I am aware of circumstances where some people experience significant difficulties engaging with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration or receiving responses to important communications. They suffer anxiety and detriment as a result. These are not simply international protection applicants or asylum seekers. A whole cohort of people who provide vital services in areas including medical, social care and a range of other areas are also denied access to the services of the Ombudsman because of this legislative prohibition. Many of these people make a major contribution to our society including through their work and tax contributions, yet they are still denied access to the services of the Ombudsman. It would require only a very minimal legislative change to permit us to deal with such complaints.”
The Ombudsman also discussed a number of other issues in relation to his annual report for 2025, including updates on the Ombudsman’s Housing Assistance Payment investigation; implementation of the recommendations of the ‘ Wasted Lives’ report on under 65s in nursing homes; and the development of the Local Authority Model Complaints Policy.
Read the full text of the Ombudsman’s statement below. Watch the Ombudsman's appearance at the Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen here.
