Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 78: To ask the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Defence Forces Ombudsman caseload has increased 192% in 2007; the steps he will take to ensure that the office has the required resources to continue to be able to deal with the cases efficiently and retain the trust built by the Ombudsman for the Defence Force with members and former members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25924/08]

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces annual report 2007 and the challenge she raised regarding cases which arose out of career advancement that they often need quicker adjudication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25925/08]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Defence his views on the fact that the number of complaints lodged with the Defence Forces Ombudsman had more than trebled in the past year and the particular increase in the number of complaints relating to non-selection for promotion; the steps being taken to address the issues identified in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26002/08]

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Defence his views on the 2007 annual report of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26016/08]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for Defence the steps being taken to address the concerns expressed by the Defence Forces Ombudsman that she did not have sufficient resources to meet the increase in demand for her services; if the Ombudsman will be provided with additional staff and resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26017/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 78, 98, 105, 123 and 133 together.

I welcome the second annual report of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces covering the period January 2007 to December 2007. This is a further milestone in the development of the Office which became operational on the 1st December 2005 and which itself represented a significant development in the modernisation of the military redress of wrongs process.

The Act provides that the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces is independent in the performance of her duties and it is not considered appropriate for the Minister to report on her behalf or to give details in relation to her reports on individual cases.

The Ombudsman reported an increase in the number of referrals to her office from 26 in 2006 to 76 in 2007. She reported that 15 of the 2007 referrals were actually carried over from 2006 and that 8 were from former members of the Defence Forces. I acknowledge that the increase in the number of referrals arises from an increased awareness of the Office of the Ombudsman as well as increasing confidence among members of the Defence Forces. I welcome this.

The input of the Ombudsman has assisted the Defence Forces in the revision of a number of HR procedures including the selection processes for career courses and overseas service. The recommendations in the Ombudsman's reports to me have also informed the revision of selection processes for promotion, a new version of which is currently being progressed with the representative associations through the conciliation and arbitration scheme.

In this regard I note the Ombudsman's recognition of the continued co-operation that she has received from the Defence Forces and my Department. I remain committed to the successful implementation of the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004.

In her report, the Ombudsman highlighted the challenge of identifying appropriate and proportionate remedies while retaining due regard to the practicalities of the military environment. I fully support the Ombudsman's proposal to engage in a constructive dialogue with a view to identifying appropriate solutions. With this in mind, my officials wrote to the Ombudsman earlier this month indicating my Department's desire to engage with her in this task.

The Ombudsman reported thirty (30) referrals in respect of non-selection for promotion, thirteen (13) referrals in respect of non-selection for career courses or overseas service, twenty-nine (29) referrals for other issues, and four (4) in respect of complaints of bullying and harassment. On this final category, I understand from the Ombudsman that one of these was withdrawn, one did not fall within her jurisdiction, the Ombudsman did not uphold the complaint in one and one is being processed.

In her report, the Ombudsman mentions staff resources and office accommodation. I am advised that the Ombudsman has recently achieved a steady staff level of four (4), consisting of the Ombudsman, an investigating officer, an office manager and clerical support. The Office of the Ombudsman is currently located in Hatch Street, Dublin 2. I have supported the request from the Ombudsman to the Office for Public Works for alternative accommodation.

My commitment to the success of the office of the Ombudsman extends to ensuring that appropriate staff levels and other resources are available, in keeping with overall public service standards and requirements. My Department is in discussion with the Ombudsman on these issues.