Susan O'Keeffe (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ombudsman again for his presentation, particularly in relation to the Learning to Get Better report. Not only is it a good report, but it is clearly laid out, easy to read and I am heartened by the fact that the bright spots are also given notice because the Ombudsman's job is all about people complaining, so it is good for us to see that he can see where the progress is and that the people concerned see that. It is a small thing but it is quite significant because I have not seen it like that before. I commend him on that.

In respect of the fact that the Ombudsman is extending his jurisdiction, particularly across the nursing homes and clinical cases, encouraging the HSE to be more active and to take more complaints, is there an argument for having an ombudsman for health? I do not mean as a separate body in a separate office but a related position that specifically has jurisdiction because if the Ombudsman were then to get jurisdiction in the matter of direct provision as it stands, many of those problems would also relate to health matters, among other issues.

My other question relates to the change in the nursing home clinical situation. The Ombudsman is saying it is in progress. Is he in a position to say whether the legal constraints or the financial constraints are the ones most delaying this, or is it just that it is in discussion and all these matters are equally on the table for resolution?