Useful contacts

There are many organisations dedicated to helping you understand your rights, finances, welfare and beyond. Here are some contacts you may find helpful.

Citizens Information

From social welfare and money and tax, the Citizens Information website provides resources and information about public services and entitlements. It also has contact details for all Citizens Information centres around the country.

Phone: 0818 074 000

Visit website: www.citizensinformation.ie

Central Bank of Ireland

You will find information about the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears, the Consumer Protection Code and the Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) Regulations and other relevant regulations and codes on the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) website.

Phone: 0818 681 681

Email: enquiries@centralbank.ie

Visit website: www.centralbank.ie

Data Protection Commission

The website for the Office of the Data Protection Commission has information on individuals’ rights and organisations’ responsibilities on storing and using personal data. It also provides guidance on how these rights and responsibilities apply in different situations.

Phone: 01 7650100 / 1800437 737

Visit website: www.dataprotection.ie

The Department of Social Protection website provides details on Jobseeker’s Allowance and other welfare benefits that you may be entitled to. This government website has contact details for all local branches of the department.

Visit website: https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-social-protection

Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman

The Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) in the Republic of Ireland deals with unresolved complaints from personal consumers and smaller enterprises about their dealings with regulated financial service providers. It is a free service.

For information about your right to refer the matter to the Ombudsman, please contact:

Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman

Lincoln House,

Lincoln Place,

Dublin 2,

D02 VH29.

Tel: (01) 567 7000

Email: info@fspo.ie

Visit website: www.fspo.ie

Financial Ombudsman Service (UK)

If your lender is a member of the scheme operated by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) in the UK, you have the right to refer your complaint there. The FOS deals with unresolved complaints from personal consumers and smaller enterprises about their dealings with regulated financial service providers. It is a free service.

For information about your right to refer the matter to the Ombudsman, please contact:

Phone: 0800 023 4 567 or 00300 123 9 123 (within UK), +44 020 7964 0500 (from outside the UK)

Email: complaint.info@financial-ombudsman.org.uk

Visit website: www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk

Free Legal Advice Centre

The Free Legal Advice Centre (FLAC) provides free legal services to the public in the four main areas of legal aid, social welfare, credit and debt, and public interest law. The FLAC website has contact details for all local Legal Advice Centres.

Phone: 01 906 1010

Visit website: www.flac.ie

Insolvency Service of Ireland

The Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI) aims to help restore insolvent people to solvency in a fair and transparent way. If you have problem debt, they may be able to help you get back on track. You can learn about your options on the ISI website.

Information line: 01 764 4200

Email: info@isi.gov.ie

Visit website: www.backontrack.ie

MABS

MABS (the Money Advice and Budgeting Service) is a national, free, confidential, independent service for people experiencing or in danger of getting into debt difficulties. Its website provides useful budgeting tools and help on completing the Standard Financial Statement (SFS) form or the Income and Expenditure (I&E) form. You can also read the MABS Guide to the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears and find contact details for all local MABS branches.

Phone: 0818 072 000

Visit website: www.mabs.ie

Abhaile

Abhaile is a service available through MABS to help homeowners find a resolution to home mortgage arrears. It provides free, confidential, independent financial and legal advice and help from experts. You can find out more about this service by contacting MABS on their helpline Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm.

Phone: 0818 072 000

Visit website: www.mabs.ie/abhaile

Office of the Revenue Commissioners

The Revenue Commissioners provide information on all tax credits and reliefs you may be entitled to. They also have contact details for all of their local branches.

Visit website: www.revenue.ie

Competition and Consumer Protection Commission

Learn about your consumer rights and personal finances through The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC). With a dedicated helpline and various financial tools and calculators, it can help you navigate your finances easily.

Phone: 01 402 5555

Visit website: www.ccpc.ie

Decision Support Service

The Decision Support Service (DSS) promotes the needs and interests of people who may need support with decision making, including decisions relating to their financial affairs. If you are experiencing challenges when making decisions, you can learn more about the supports available by using the below contact details:

Phone: 353 (01) 211 9750

Email: queries@decisionsupporterservice.ie

Visit website: www.decisionsupportservice.ie

Dealing with Debt

DealingWithDebt.ie outlines a range of advice and solutions available for customers including switching options.

Visit website: https://bpfi.ie/dealing-with-debt/

Mortgage to Rent (MTR)

The MTR scheme is a government scheme which aims to help people who have serious difficulties with their mortgage and who are unlikely to ever make full repayments on their mortgage in the future. It allows them to switch from owning their home to renting their home as social housing tenants, with affordable rent payments.

For more information on how this works and eligibility criteria visit the website: https://mortgagetorent.ie/