The National Advocacy Service (NAS) provides an independent, confidential and free, representative advocacy service. NAS has a particular remit for people with disabilities who are isolated from their community and services, have communication differences, are inappropriately accommodated, live in residential services, attend day services and have limited informal or natural supports.
For more information, you can access the NAS website at the following link: National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities
Email: info@advocacy.ie
Phone: 0761 07 3000
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) was set up to improve the delivery of education services to persons with special educational needs arising from disabilities with particular emphasis on children. The Council was first established as an independent statutory body by order of the Minister for Education and Science in December 2003.
For more information, you may wish to access the following link: Contact the NCSE.
Phone: 046 948 6400 (General line) | 046 948 6432 (Local NSCE services)
Web: www.ncse.ie
The Passport Service has its own complaints and appeals procedures. Customers can submit a complaint:
In addition, if the complainant is not satisfied with their response having exhausted this process, the complainant may then refer the matter to the Customer Service Officer in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 76 – 78 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2 or email customer.service@dfa.ie.
The Passport Service also operate an appeals procedure in cases of decisions to refuse or cancel/revoke a passport. Where a person is not satisfied with the decision of the Passport Service in relation to their application they may apply to the independent Passport Appeals Officer.
The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is an independent statutory body dealing with public complaints against An Garda Síochána.
If you are directly affected by what you believe is misconduct of a member of the Garda Síochána, you can complain to the Garda Ombudsman. You can also make a complaint if you are a witness to such behaviour. In many circumstances, you can complain on someone’s behalf, if you have their consent. For more information, you may wish to access the following link: Make a complaint.
The Ombudsman for Children may investigate a complaint made by a child, a family member, or a professional, who has dealings with the child. The bodies that may be investigated by the Ombudsman for Children include Government Departments, the HSE, schools, and public hospitals.
The Employment Equality Acts do not extend to generalised bullying or harassment which is not linked to the discriminatory ground. For further information on bullying or harassment not connected to the nine grounds you should contact the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).
The HSA provides information and advice on bullying in the workplace. The HSA makes sure that the system of work is not one where bullying is facilitated or tolerated. Where bullying is identified (through a legitimate complaint) employers should have a proper system to deal with bullying complaints, and act reasonably in implementing that system. The HSA can assess this system and make recommendations, and where required, use powers of enforcement to ensure the system is reasonable and the management of bullying does not represent a risk to the employee’s health and/or safety.
Phone: 1890 289 389
Web: http://www.hsa.ie
If you would like further information on current protections, you can read further information here or you can contact the Irish Penal Reform Trust directly at:
Email: info@iprt.ie
Phone: +353 1 874 1400
The Ombudsman for Children’s Office may investigate a complaint made by a child and a young person under the age of 18, or a family member, or a professional, who has dealings with the child or person under the age of 18. The bodies that may be investigated by the Ombudsman for Children include Government Departments, the HSE, schools, and public hospitals. For more information, you may wish to access the following link: Making a complaint to the Ombudsman for Children’s Office.
The Ombudsman for Children can investigate complaints relating to the administrative actions of a school recognised by the Department of Education and Skills provided the complainant has firstly and fully followed the school’s complaints procedures. You can access more information regarding school complaints at the following link: Complaints about schools.
The Community Law and Mediation Centre and Arthur Cox staff an employment law clinic at the Citizens Information Centre on O’Connell Street once a month from 9:30 – 1pm.
Phone: 01 847 7804 or 061 536 100
You may wish to note that all workers have the right to join a union if they so choose. The following website may of assistance to you in this regard: https://www.unionconnect.ie/joinaunion/
Migrant Rights Centre Ireland is a national organisation working for justice, empowerment and equality for migrants and their families
Mercy Law Resource Centre is an independent law centre, registered charity and company limited by guarantee, which provides free legal advice and representation to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in the areas of social housing and related social welfare law.
Email: info@mercylaw.ie
Phone: +353 (0)1 453 7459
Doras is an independent, non-governmental organisation working to promote and protect the rights of migrants in Ireland
Age Action supports and advocates for equality and human rights for older people in Ireland.
The National Disability Authority (NDA) is the independent statutory body that provides information and advice to the Government on policy and practice relevant to the lives of persons with disabilities.
Children’s Rights Alliance unites over 100 members working together to make Ireland one of the best places in the world to be a child. Children’s Rights Alliance improves the lives of all children and young people by ensuring Ireland’s laws, policies and services comply with the standards set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
DFI’s vision is an Ireland where people with disabilities and disabling conditions are fully included and enabled to reach their full potential.
Phone: (01) 454 7978
Sage Advocacy is a support and advocacy service for vulnerable adults, older people and healthcare patients,
Inclusion Ireland champions the rights of people with an intellectual disability in Ireland through securing the full implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
Independent Living Movement aims to ensure that disabled people achieve Independent Living Choice and control over their lives and full Participation in society as equal citizens.
Treoir is the National Specialist Information Service for unmarried parents and their children providing
clear and up-to-date information free of charge to parents who are not married to each other and to those involved with them.
Atheist Ireland is a democratic advocacy group for secularism, rationality, pluralism and human rights.
Email: info@atheist.ie
Web: www.atheist.ie
National Women’s Council Ireland mandate is to take action to ensure that the voices of women in all their diversity are heard. National Women’s Council Ireland vision is of an Ireland and of a world where women.
Can achieve their full potential in a just and equal society.
TENI seeks to improve the situation and advance the rights and equality of Trans people and their families. Its vision is an Ireland where Tran’s people are understood, accepted and respected, and can participate fully in all aspects of Irish society. TENI is dedicated to ending transphobia, including stigma, discrimination and inequality and continues in the struggle for social, political and legal recognition of Trans people in Ireland.
The Irish Traveller Movement (ITM) is a national network of organisations and individuals working within the Traveller community. The Irish Traveller Movement consists of a partnership between Travellers and settled people committed to seeking full equality for Travellers in Irish society.
Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centremission is to contribute to the improvement in the quality of life, living circumstances, status and participation of Travellers and Roma through working innovatively for social justice, greater solidarity development, equality and human rights.
Traveller Legal Service is run by Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC), supported by The Community Foundation for Ireland and in cooperation with a Steering Group made up of representation from the national Traveller organisations, it aims to empower Travellers and Traveller groups to engage with the law as a means of combating discrimination and advancing the rights of Travellers in Irish Society.
FLAC try to help people to understand and access their legal rights through offering free & confidential legal information and advice to the public, helping thousands of people every year.
Web: https://www.flac.ie/
If you are concerned with your treatment in the workplace, the Workers’ Rights Centre (WRC) provides information, advice or representation in relation to a disciplinary process, workplace legislation, bullying, maternity rights or any other individual dispute with your employer.
Threshold’s mission is to prevent homelessness and to campaign for housing as a right by providing independent advice and advocacy to vulnerable people.
Phone: 1800 454 454
One Family is working to ensure a positive and equal future for all members of all one-parent families in Ireland
Changing attitudes, services, policies and lives together with one-parent families and those working with them
we are committed to achieving equality and respect for all families.
Community Law & Mediation is a community law centre which provides free legal advice, advocacy and mediation and education services.
Phone: (01) 847 7804
The Pensions Authority regulates occupational pension schemes; trust RACs and Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs). Please note that the Pensions Authority do not deal with the state pensions.
For information on State pensions contact the Department of Social Protection.
Phone: LoCall: 1890 500 000
The Charities Regulator is Ireland’s national statutory regulator for charitable organisations. The Charities Regulator is an independent authority and was established under the Charities Act 2009. The key functions of the Regulator are to establish and maintain a public register of charitable organisations operating in Ireland and ensure their compliance with the Charities Acts.
The Dublin Region Homeless Executive is provided by Dublin City Council in the response to homelessness in Dublin. The DRHE provides a complaints procedure, which sets out the process to address complaints and appeals from service users, funded services and the Ombudsman in relation to Homeless Service Provision under the remit of the DRHE.
The Legal Aid Board is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means. Legal advice is any oral or written advice given by a solicitor or barrister, including writing letters and negotiations. Legal aid is representation by a solicitor or barrister in court proceedings. The Legal Aid Board has a number of centers across the country, and the best way to find the one most convenient to you is to contact the Legal Aid Board directly.
Immigrant Council Of Ireland provides practical information and advice on all immigration related issues. Its Independent Law Centre supports the most vulnerable migrants, including victims of trafficking, so they can live lives free from oppression.
De Paul exist to serve homeless individuals or families, at risk caught in the spiral of homelessness deprived of all control of their lives.
Dublin Simon Community empowers people to access and retain a home by providing housing, prevention, addiction treatment, emergency response and other targeted interventions, through advocacy and partnership
Crosscare Migrant Project is a Dublin based NGO providing information and advocacy support to Irish emigrants
and people who have moved to Ireland.
Email: migrantproject@crosscare.ie
Phone: +353 (0)1 873 2844
Irish Refugee Council provides services and support to people seeking protection and those recognised as refugees in Ireland.
The Free Legal Advice Centre (FLAC) provide confidential, basic legal advice for free and in person across all areas of law. FLAC offers a network of advice clinics around Ireland and you may be able to identify the most suitable one at the following link: Legal Advice Clinic.
Phone: Lo-Call: 1890 350 250
Web: https://www.flac.ie/
INAR (the Irish Network Against Racism) is a national network of anti-racism civil society organisations which aims to work collectively to highlight and address the issue of racism in Ireland.
Environmental Health Officers in Dublin City Council’s Air Quality Monitoring and Noise Control Unit deal with noise complaints from members of the public, and you may wish to contact them for further advice and assistance
Email: customerservices@dublincity.ie
Phone: (01) 222 2222 (0900-1700, Monday to Friday)
Nasc is the Irish word for “link”. They link migrants and refugees to their rights.
Citizens Information Centres (CICs) provide free, impartial information, advice and advocacy from more than 215 locations around the country.
Phone: 0761 07 4000
The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner was established to protect individuals’ right to privacy by enabling people to exercise control over how their personal information is used, in accordance with the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003. If a person or organisation holds personal information about you on computer or on paper file, you may ask them if they hold such information and to give you access to it. Section 3 of the Data Protection Acts provides that you have a right to find out and/or be given a description free of charge, of information held about you. Section 4 of the Data Protection Acts says that you have a right to obtain a copy of such information.
The Environmental Protection Agency is the statutory agency charged with protecting the environment and enforcing environmental legislation.
The Health Information and Quality Authority is an independent authority established to drive high-quality and safe care for people using our health and social care services in Ireland.
HIQA’s mandate to date extends across a specified range of public, private and voluntary sector services. Reporting to the Minister for Health and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, HIQA’s role is to develop standards, inspect and review health and social care services and support informed decisions on how services are delivered.
Email: info@hiqa.ie
Web: https://www.hiqa.ie/
The principal functions of the Mental Health Commission, as specified in the Mental Health Act 2001, are to promote, encourage and foster the establishment and maintenance of high standards and good practices in the delivery of mental health services. The Mental Health Commission also deals with the protection of the rights of persons resident in psychiatric facilities (approved centres).
The Office of the Ombudsman examines complaints about the administrative actions of Government Departments; the Health Service Executive; local authorities and various other State agencies. Complaints can be made in relation to a wide range of issues, such as entitlement to public services, taxation, housing, education and social welfare.
The Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) is Ireland’s independent state body which assesses personal injury compensation.
The Personal Injuries Assessment Board aim is to facilitate a fair and transparent personal injuries assessment process in which claims are resolved at a low delivery cost and in a timely and non-adversarial manner and to engage with all parties and stakeholders in the claims resolution process in a straight-forward and efficient way.
Email: enquiries@injuriesboard.ie
Phone: 1890 829 121
The Residential Tenancies Board is an independent statutory body which provides a dispute resolution service for landlords and tenants.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office operates independently of the Department of Social Protection. It aims to provide an independent, accessible and fair appeals service with regard to entitlement to social welfare payments and to deliver that service in a prompt and courteous manner.
The main role of the Social Welfare Appeals Office is to provide a fair and independent appeals procedure where a person is dissatisfied with a decision given under the Social Welfare Acts by a Deciding Officer or a Designated Person about their entitlement to social welfare payments or the insurability of their employment.
BeLonG To Youth Services is the national organisation supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI+) young people in Ireland.
LGBT Ireland is a national organisation underpinned by localised knowledge and responses.
For support or information please contact the National LGBT Helpline on 1890 929 539. Available: Monday – Thursday (6.30pm – 10pm), Friday (4pm-10pm), Saturday and Sunday (4pm-6pm).
The Standards in Public Office Commission is an independent body established in December 2001 by the Standards in Public Office Act 2001. It has six members and is chaired by a former Judge of the High Court. It has supervisory roles under four separate pieces of legislation. Its functions include supervising the disclosure of interests and compliance with tax clearance requirements, the disclosure of donations and election expenditure, the expenditure of state funding received by political parties and the registration of lobbying.
A full list of Legislation under which the Standards Commission has a supervisory role are available at the following link: Legislation. The Standards in Public Office Act 2001 provides for the introduction of Codes of Conduct for Office Holders, TDs, Senators, Civil Servants, and the wider Public Service. More information can be accessed at the following link: Codes of Conduct.
Email: sipo@sipo.ie or complaints@sipo.ie
Phone: +353-1-639 5666
Established In 1979, The NXF Is The Oldest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual And Transgender (LGBT) NGO In Ireland. The NXF Publishes Gay Community News (GCN) And Campaigns For The Equal Rights Of, And To Combat Discrimination Against, LGBT People In Ireland & Internationally.
Phone: +353 1 675 5025
Web: https://www.nxf.ie/
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection’s role is to promote a caring society through ensuring access to income support and other services, enabling active participation, promoting social inclusion and supporting families.
Please find below a list of contact numbers for services:
– DSP Income Support Helpline for people impacted by COVID-19. Tel: 1890 800 024
– Information Services – Tel: 1890 66 22 44
– Free Travel, Household Benefits, State Pension, Domiciliary Care, Widow(er)s Pension, Widowed Parent Grant, Blind Persons Pension – Tel: 1890 500 000
– Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Disability Allowance, Disablement Benefit, Invalidity Pension, Bereavement Grant – Tel: 1890 927 770
– Supplementary Welfare Allowance – Tel: 071 9157100
– Homemakers – Tel: 1890 690 690
– Respite Care Grant – Tel: 01 6732222
– Illness Benefit, Injury Benefit, Medical Care – Tel: 1890 928 400
The Office of the Information Commissioner investigates complaints of compliance with the FOI Acts and also provides information to the public in relation to the Acts. In general terms, under the FOI Act a requester makes a request for records (electronic or paper documents) and the public body must issue a decision on that request within four weeks. The Public Body may decide to release all of the information requested, to release part of it, or to refuse all of it. A requester may appeal the decision to the public body (within 4 weeks). The public body must carry out a review and issue a further decision. In the event the requester is still not satisfied they can appeal to the Office of the Information Commissioner.
For further guidance on how the Office of the Information Commissioner interpret and apply the Freedom of Information Act, you may wish to access the following link: Guidance Notes.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people.
If you are concerned with your treatment in the workplace the Workers’ Rights Centre provides information, advice or representation in relation to a disciplinary process, workplace legislation, bullying, maternity rights or any other individual dispute with your employer.
Email: wrc@siptu.ie
Phone: 01 858 6300
The International Protection Office (IPO) is an office within the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) responsible for processing applications for international protection under the International Protection Act 2015. It also considers, as part of a single procedure process, whether applicants should be given permission to remain.
The Medical Council regulates medical doctors in the Republic of Ireland. The Council’s purpose is to protect the public by promoting and better ensuring high standards of professional conduct and professional education, training and competence among doctors. The Medical Council handles complaints relating to a doctor’s fitness to practice medicine.
Phone: +353 1 4983100
Web: https://www.medicalcouncil.ie/Public-Information/Making-a-Complaint-/Making-a-Complaint.html
Fax: +353 1 4983102
The National Vetting Bureau is the single point of contact in An Garda Síochána to conduct Garda Vetting. Its primary objective is to provide an accurate and responsible vetting service which enhances the protection of children and vulnerable persons through enabling safer recruitment decisions.
Garda Vetting is conducted in respect of any person who is carrying out work or activity, a necessary and regular part of which consists mainly of the person having access to, or contact with, children or vulnerable persons. It is a service designed to enhance the protection of children and vulnerable persons.
This is a matter that appears to fall more appropriately within the remit of Transparency International (TI) Irelands ‘Speak Up’ helpline and you may wish to contact that organisation for further advice and assistance.
The ‘Speak Up’ helpline was launched by TI Ireland in May 2011. The helpline offers information, referral advice and advocacy support to people looking to report wrongdoing, or to witnesses and victims of corruption or other wrongdoing.
If you would like further guidance on blowing the whistle, reporting wrongdoing or dealing with an ethical dilemma at work, you may wish to contact the ‘Speak Up’ helpline. At the following link, you can also download a guide for making Protected Disclosures: Speak Up Safely Guide
Workers who wish to report wrongdoing (commonly known as whistleblowing) may be offered an appointment with the Transparency Legal Advice Centre (TLAC). Transparency Legal Advice Centre “TLAC” is Ireland’s only independent law centre specialising in providing legal advice to anyone who wishes to disclose wrongdoing, particularly under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014.
Phone: 1800 844 866
The Child and Family Agency is the dedicated State agency responsible for improving wellbeing and outcomes for children. The Agency operates under the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, a progressive piece of legislation with children at its heart and families viewed as the foundation of a strong healthy community where children can flourish. Partnership and co-operation in the delivery of seamless services to children and families are also central to the Act.
Information and Customer Services (ICS), formerly known as Workplace Relations Customer Services, is responsible for the provision of information relating to employment rights, equality and industrial relations matters by means of a telephone call-in service manned by experienced Information Officers
Phone: 059 9178990 | Lo-call: 1890 80 80 90 * (09.30 - 17.00, Monday to Friday)
Web: https://www.workplacerelations.ie/en/contact_us/contact-details/
The purpose of the Employer Disability Information service is to provide employers with an expert peer source of advice and information on employing staff with disabilities. The service is managed by a consortium of employer organisations – Chambers Ireland, IBEC and ISME and is funded through the NDA, as part of the comprehensive employment strategy for people with disabilities
For more information, you may wish to visit the Employer Disability Information website. The website outlines the range of supports, schemes and guidelines available for employers when recruiting or retaining employees who have a disability.
Email: info@employerdisabilityinfo.ie
Phone: +353 1 676 2014
The Legal Aid Board provides confidential and independent legal services to persons applying for international protection in Ireland. If you are applying for international protection in Ireland, you can obtain legal advice and assistance from the Legal Aid Board to assist you with your application. You may register with the Legal Aid Board at any stage of the asylum process, but it is advisable to do so at the earliest possible stage of the process.