asked the Minister for the Public Service if he is satisfied that the existence of the Office of the Ombudsman is not itself generating a large percentage of the increased number of complaints submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Office of Ombudsman.
23.
The Office of the Ombudsman was established to provide, for the first time, an independent forum which people could pursue certain types of grievances. Given the purpose of the Office I would be surprised — indeed I would be disappointed — if its existence did not result in people pursuing grievances which they might otherwise not have pursued.
What contribution this factor has made to the overall increase in complaints submitted to the Ombudsman's Office is not possible to say. Between 1984 and 1985 the number of complaints received increased from 2,300 to 5,000 but this would have been mainly due to the extension of the Ombudsman's remit to include the health boards, local authorities, Telecom Éireann and An Post. During this period also the Office adopted a high profile and this too contributed to the increase. I would regard both of these moves as entirely laudable.