Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 11 February 2015

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform

Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 11 - Public Expenditure and Reform (Revised)
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Revised)
Vote 14 - State Laboratory (Revised)
Vote 15 - Secret Service (Revised)
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Revised)
Vote 18 - Shared Services (Revised)
Vote 19 - Office of the Ombudsman (Revised)
Vote 39 - Office of Government Procurement (Revised)

2:00 pm

Photo of Seán FlemingSeán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We could talk forever about this Vote, but I will ask just one question. There is a substantial increase in the Estimate. Given the new bodies, that is understandable. However, it came to light during the year that the office made a case concerning the troubling situation in nursing homes in County Mayo. That morning, the Ombudsman stated on radio that he had the authority to investigate individual complaints relating to the situation but also indicated that he had the legal authority to investigate complaints relating to private nursing homes. I imagine that, if he were to be busy in that regard, the amount of money we are providing his office would not cover it. Does this Estimate cover much in the health area? According to the Ombudsman's office, it receives few complaints in this regard. I am not referring to processing medical cards or other administrative difficulties, but to complaints about health services, in which regard the Ombudsman probably feels that people are reluctant to take on hospitals, consultants, doctors or nursing homes. Has the Minister an opinion on how many complaints are being made on that front? Is there anything that we can do to assist the Ombudsman or to remove the public's fear about making complaints?

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