Almost 40,000 people contacted Irish consumer helpline in 2023
March 15, 2024
Consumer contacts to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) helpline increased by 20% in 2023, with a total of 39,172 consumers contacting the helpline last year.
Published today (Friday 15 March) to mark World Consumer Rights Day, the CCPC helpline report details some key concerns of consumers in Ireland and the sectors they struggle with.
Issues with faulty goods and services topped the list of consumer queries and complaints to the CCPC in 2023.
The top 5 sectors consumers contacted the CCPC about
- Vehicles & transport (4,501 contacts)
- Telecommunications (2,559 contacts)
- Home building & improvements (2,229 contacts)
- Holidays & travel (2,019 contacts)
- Clothing, footwear & accessories (1,886 contacts)
The top 5 traders named by consumers
- Eir (546 contacts)
- Ryanair (515 contacts)
- Currys (458 contacts)
- Vodafone (453 contacts)
- Harvey Norman (423 contacts)
8,731 consumers were referred to the Small Claims Court, including over a thousand people who had issues with domestic appliances.
Grainne Griffin, CCPC Director of Communications, said:
“Again this year, issues with faulty goods and services were the main driver of calls and emails to our helpline. Consumers should be able to rely on the products they buy and the services they pay for, and when problems arise they have the right to redress – but all too often they’re having trouble getting the repair, replacement or refund they’re entitled to under the law.
This World Consumer Rights Day, we want to remind consumers the law sets out your rights when things go wrong. Whether you’re buying a t-shirt, signing up for a streaming service, or hiring a car, you have rights as a consumer. Those rights are stronger and last longer than many people expect.
Know your rights, contact the seller not the manufacturer, complain in writing – and if you’re unsure, give us a call.”
Personal finance
The report also reveals that almost half a million (445, 492) people clicked through to the CCPC’s online Mortgage Comparison Tool, which allows users to compare up-to-date rates, repayments, fees and charges across a range of mortgages available on the Irish market.
While mortgages and equity release topped the list of personal finance queries to the CCPC helpline again in 2023, there were notable increases in consumer contacts relating to motor insurance and loans.
Helpline
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) provides free, independent information on consumer rights and personal finance through its website, CCPC.ie, and the CCPC helpline.
Consumers can call the helpline on 01 402 5555 or email ask@ccpc.ie.
Irish Sign Language (ISL) users can email remote@slis.ie to book an appointment with the CCPC helpline through remote ISL.
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