Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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1052. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline the powers available to the Ombudsman for Children to investigate any body or bodies, who have responsibility in any way for children and their welfare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48125/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) is an independent statutory body established under the Ombudsman for Children’s Act, 2002.

In relation to the powers available to the Ombudsman for Children to investigate complaints, I would like to draw your attention to sections 8, 9 10, 11, 13, 14, 15 and 16 of ‘the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002’ which outline the scope of these powers.

Sections 8 and 9 of the Act give powers to the Ombudsman for Children to initiate an investigation into an action by or on behalf of a public body, school or voluntary hospital which may have adversely affected a child.

Section 10 allows for a preliminary examination and investigation of complaints and section 11 lists exclusions in relation to section 10.

Section 13 details the reporting process in relation to the examination and investigation of complaints and section 14 outlines the Ombudsman for Children's powers in respect of preliminary examinations and investigations.

Section 15 outlines the conduct of investigations and section 16 relates to the secrecy of information obtained during an investigation.

It should be noted that section 6(1) of the Act provides that the Ombudsman for Children shall be independent in the performance of his functions under the Act.