Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 156: To ask the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that staffing levels in the Office of the Ombudsman to the Defence Forces are sufficient to carry out its mandate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3497/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Office of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces was established under the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004. On the 19th September 2005, Ms. Paulyn Marrinan-Quinn SC was appointed by the President, upon the recommendation of the Government, as the first Ombudsman for the Defence Forces.

I am advised that the Ombudsman has a staff level of four (4), consisting of the Ombudsman, an investigating officer, an office manager and clerical support. My officials have had discussions with the Ombudsman about the workload of the Office. However, in the light of the restrictions on public service payroll costs there are no current plans to assign additional staff to the Office.

I am confident that the Ombudsman will utilize all existing resources in continuing to fulfill her role. The situation will be kept under review with the Ombudsman.