Role of the Joint Committee on Public Oversight and Petitions

The newly established Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions seeks to focus its work on investigating and identifying improvements in the delivery of public services to citizens. As part of its new remit, the Committee will receive and process public petitions submitted to the Houses of the Oireachtas, and will also regularly engage with the Ombudsman.

Under its Terms of Reference two sub-Committees have been established. These are:

• The Joint sub-Committee on Public Petitions and
• the Joint sub-Committee on the Ombudsman

All Members of the Joint Committee are Members of both sub-Committees.

The information and insights gained form engagement with the Ombudsman and consideration of public petitions will assist the Joint Committee in making an informed evaluation of how a particular policy, programme or statutory framework is being administered. Where underlying and systematic shortcomings are identified, the Joint Committee could propose recommendations thereby helping to drive improvements to the quality and standards of public services.

• Read the Committees Terms of Reference