David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 556: To ask the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to any problems with the present building occupied by the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces; his plans to provide more suitable accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37905/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, 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. Her term of office was extended for a further three years from 19th September 2008. The Office of the Ombudsman is currently located in Hatch Street, Dublin 2. While the provision of accommodation for the Ombudsman is primarily a matter for the OPW, I am anxious to ensure that her office is provided with adequate and appropriate facilities.

It is a matter of record that the Ombudsman has sought alternative accommodation and that the Department has supported her request in this regard to the Office of Public Works. I am advised that the OPW identified a number of potentially suitable premises which were subsequently inspected by officials from the Ombudsman's office. Following on from this process the Ombudsman advised that none of the premises identified by OPW were found to meet the requirements of her office and that she had advised the OPW accordingly.

The Ombudsman was also in contact with my predecessor regarding the need for inadequacies with her existing accommodation to be addressed while the search for suitable new premises continued. The Department wrote to the OPW supporting the Ombudsman's request in this regard and it is understood that the OPW undertook a number of remedial works to the existing premises which sought to address issues identified by the Ombudsman.