Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 392: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the proposal of the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes to merge the office of the Ombudsman for Children with the office of the Ombudsman; her further views on whether this proposal would diminish the rights of children and would send out the wrong signals in view of the Ryan report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30515/09]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 413: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the decisions made by her regarding the recommendation contained in special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes concerning the Office of the Ombudsman for Children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30754/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to answer Questions Nos. 392 and 413 together.

Planned expenditure levels for my Department will be considered as part of the Estimates and Budgetary process for 2010. This will include consideration of the report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes, and the decisions on all of the issues arising will be a matter for the Government. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage pending the outcome of these deliberative processes.