Ombudsman unable to aid pensioners

The Ombudsman has told a pensioners' group he cannot pursue their complaints about the level of service they receive from Dublin…

The Ombudsman has told a pensioners' group he cannot pursue their complaints about the level of service they receive from Dublin Corporation.

St Helena's Senior Citizens' Voluntary Committee, which represents pensioners living in sheltered accommodation in Finglas, wants the corporation to restore the practice of having a warden living in each sheltered scheme or else to ensure that each resident is visited by a community warden daily.

Committee secretary and former Labour councillor Mr Billy Keegan complained about the alleged deterioration in service since 1990.

In replying, the Ombudsman quoted correspondence from the corporation which stated "the desire of the residents for a full-time attendant is understandable but it will not be possible to accede to this request." The corporation told the Ombudsman it is phasing out the system of resident wardens.