24 findings available

Ombudsman proposes own initiative investigation into Housing Executive

The Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman is proposing to investigate the actions of the region’s largest social housing landlord, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

The investigation into social housing conditions would be the third to take place under the Ombudsman’s ‘own initiative’ power, which allows for an investigation to take place where she has a reasonable suspicion of systemic maladministration.

Own Initiative Investigation

Northern Ireland Housing Executive properly assessed man’s housing application

A man claimed he was treated unfairly by the Housing Executive when it rejected his application for a three-bedroomed house.

Investigation Report
Not upheld

Report recommends review of how the Northern Ireland Housing Executive handles complaints

We upheld a man's complaint about the Housing Executive's failure to deal with his enquiries about emergency accommodation.

Investigation Report
Upheld

Housing Executive’s repeated failure to deal with complaints ‘deeply concerning’

The Ombudsman has said she ‘cannot ignore’ the Housing Executive's continued poor response to concerns raised by its service users.

Investigation Report
Upheld

Complaint against the Department for Communities

An architect complained that he was unfairly removed from a project to restore a historic monument.

Case Summary

Complaint about the Northern Ireland Housing Executive

A Housing Executive resident complained that it didn’t deal with his concerns about his unsafe kitchen.

Upholding the complaint, we recommended that it apologise to the man and provide him with a response within two weeks of our report.

Investigation Report
Upheld

Council failed to properly consider report into conduct of Chief Executive

We found failures in Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s decision to take no action over an independent report which was critical of its senior staff.

Investigation Report
Upheld

Northern Ireland Housing Executive took two years to deal with resident’s complaint

We criticised how a complaint was handled by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, concluding that it appeared ‘unimportant’ to the organisation to deal with complaints quickly and effectively.

Investigation Report
Upheld

Council’s procurement errors led to trader overpaying for rental site

We asked Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council to refund thousands of pounds to a woman after we found it mismanaged an online procurement.

Investigation Report
Upheld

PIP and the value of further evidence - follow up report

In June 2021 the Ombudsman found that repeated failings by the Department for Communities in how it handled further evidence amounted to ‘systemic maladministration’. Ombudsman Margaret Kelly made 33 recommendations on how the system could be improved.

This follow-up report shows that out of the 33 recommendations made, 10 have been fully met, 18 partly met, and 5 not met. 

Own Initiative Investigation

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