Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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925. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the body which holds FIOSRÚ accountable; the person who is responsible for reviewing how the office is working; whether a person (details supplied) currently holds a working position within FIOSRÚ; the number of staff members that make up the FIOSRÚ team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48765/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Part 5 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 reconstituted GSOC as Fiosrú. The reformed police complaints body has an expanded remit and a new leadership structure. The previous three-person commission was replaced by a single head of the organisation, the Police Ombudsman, supported by a Deputy Police Ombudsman and a Chief Executive Officer.

Ms Emily Logan was formally appointed to the role of the first Police Ombudsman by President Higgins when the Act commenced. She is independent in her statutory functions for which she accounts directly to the Oireachtas.

To further reinforce its independence, Fiosrú was given greater financial independence through the establishment of its own Vote. Its new Chief Executive Officer is the Accounting Officer for that Vote. GSOC was previously funded from Vote 24 by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. The total budget allocation for GSOC in 2025 of €20.667 million was reallocated from Vote 24 to the new Fiosrú Vote, Vote 46.

As Minister, I am accountable to the Oireachtas for the performance of Fiosrú’s functions as a body under the aegis of my Department. Section 173(7) of the Act provides that the Police Ombudsman shall keep the Minister informed of matters relevant to the accountability of the Government to the Houses of the Oireachtas.

As an agency operating under the aegis of my Department, Fiosrú is also subject to a range of statutory and corporate governance obligations including under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.

The terms of the relationship between my Department and Fiosrú is set out by way of an Oversight Agreement, which is currently being finalised. This document outlines the broad governance and accountability framework within which Fiosrú operates, and defines the key roles, responsibilities and commitments that underpin its relationship with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.

I am advised that as of 31 August 2025 there are 173 staff employed in Fiosrú.