Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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34. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 16 of 14 October 2015, if he is aware that the judicial reviews against the ombudsman have been settled on terms favourable to the applicants; if he will examine changes to the in-house complaints procedure to ensure that needless and expensive court challenges are not required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4505/16]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I am advised that the four Judicial Reviews against the Ombudsman alluded to were withdrawn by agreement between the parties and were not settled in either party's favour.  The Office of the Ombudsman is an independent Office accountable to the Houses of the Oireachtas. That said, I am aware that the Ombudsman does afford individuals an opportunity to review decisions reached on their complaints to his Office. I am also advised that the Ombudsman keeps his Office's complaint-handling processes and procedures under ongoing review.