The number of complaints received by the Ombudsman in 2009, 4,373, was a new record and an increase of over eighteen per cent on the previous year (3,694).

The Ombudsman also issued decisions on more complaints than ever before. A total of 4,458 complaints were decided on, which is about twenty per cent more than in 2008 (3,724).

In addition to complaints, the Ombudsman received 318 enquiries of various kinds and other written communications from members of the public. These are not classed as complaints and are replied to by the legal experts responsible for providing members of the public with advisory services.

Of the decisions issued in 2009 some 733 (632) led to action on the part of the Ombudsman - a reprimand, the expression of an opinion or a proposal.

Authorities sometimes rectify their errors on their own initiative once it emerges that the Ombudsman has begun investigating the matter. That happened in 33 (51) cases last year.