Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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163. To ask the Minister for Finance the progress towards the amalgamation of the offices of the Financial Services Ombudsman and the Pensions Ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1615/15]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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My Department is currently progressing the amalgamation of the Offices of the Financial Services Ombudsman and the Pensions Ombudsman.  A Steering Group chaired by my Department with representatives from the Financial Services Ombudsman, the Pensions Ombudsman, the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform and Social Protection continue to meet to progress the amalgamation process.

It is intended as part of the merger process that one person will take on the existing separate roles of Financial Services Ombudsman and Pensions Ombudsman. A competitive appointment process is currently being run for the role of Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (designate). The successful  candidate will take up the role of Financial Services Ombudsman in March 2015 when the term of office of the current Financial Services Ombudsman ends and will be nominated as Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman when the legislation to merge both offices is agreed by the Oireachtas.

Work is also ongoing on the physical merger of the Pensions Ombudsman staff and facilities into the office of the Financial Services Ombudsman.