• You are here:
• Home /
• Publications /
• Annual Reports /
• Annual Report of the Ombudsman 2003

Annual Report of the Ombudsman 2003

Chapter 4 - The Ombudsman's Remit

The Ombudsman's Remit

There are a number of new pieces of legislation which will impact on the workload and remit of my Office. I am pleased to note that the government has given a commitment to publish the Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill in late 2004 and I hope that it will be speedily enacted. Among other things this Bill will provide for a significant expansion of the range of public bodies which will come under my remit.

The Official Languages Act, 2003 imposes new statutory obligations on a large number of public bodies to provide a higher standard of service through Irish. While a Commissioner, Séan Ó Cuirreáin, has been appointed to monitor compliance with the Act and to investigate complaints about failure to meet obligations under the Act I will continue to have the power to investigate complaints relating to the administrative actions of the public bodies within my remit in relation to Irish language matters. I anticipate an increase in complaints in this area arising from the new Act.

The proposed Disability Bill gives a role for the Ombudsman in examining complaints in relation to non-compliance with sectoral plans which will have to be drawn up to illustrate how public bodies will meet their obligations in providing services to persons with disabilities. This is likely to have a significant impact on the workload of my Office and, in so far as it relates to my role under the Disability Bill, it will greatly extend the number of bodies coming under my remit.

The Ombudsman for Children Act amended Section 5 of the Ombudsman Act, 1980 to exclude examination of a complaint by the Ombudsman where the matter is proper for the Ombudsman for Children. The functions of the Ombudsman for Children will include the investigation of complaints where a child has been adversely affected by an action which may have amounted to maladministration. My Office will be liaising with the Ombudsman for Children, Ms Emily Logan, to deal with any jurisdictional issues which may arise as a consequence of the legislation.

Back to contents