Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

27. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he is satisfied that the children's Ombudsman has no remit to investigate 75% of complaints received by his office in relation to education and that there is no further recourse available to those complainants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19534/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Ombudsman for Children is independent in his function and is directly accountable to the Oireachtas in relation to the exercise of his functions as provided in the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002. As Minister, I have certain functions and responsibilities for the Ombudsman for Children's Office under the Ombudsman for Children Act, 2002. These primarily relate to governance matters, most notably the funding of the Ombudsman for Children's Office through the Vote of my Department.

I met with the new Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon in March 2015. We discussed a broad range of matters but the issue being raised by the Deputy did not arise.

The Ombudsman for Children reports annually to the Oireachtas under section 13(7) of the 2002 Act. As well as statistical information, these reports outline recurring themes and issues of concern across a range of public sector activities that impact on the lives of children. In March 2012, the Ombudsman for Children produced a report on the Operation of the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002. In this report, the former Ombudsman for Children, Ms Logan, made a number of recommendations proposing amendments to the 2002 Act and highlighting the need for clarity in respect of policy on certain aspects of the remit of that Office. Among her recommendations, she called for an expansion of her remit in certain areas, including in relation to Education. This Government has already expanded the remit of both the Ombudsman for Children and the Ombudsman by the enactment of the Ombudsman (Amendment) Act 2012.

In light of the fact that the issue being raised by the Deputy relates to the education sector, I would suggest that it might be more appropriate for the Deputy to pursue this matter with the Minister for Education and Skills.