Frances Fitzgerald
Question:48 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the remit of the Ombudsman to cover voluntary hospitals. [1525/96]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - Extending Ombudsman to Voluntary Hospitals.
The Deputy will be aware that, in the Programme for Government, the Government committed itself to extending the remit of the Ombudsman. In fulfilment of that commitment, my Department is currently engaged in the interdepartmental consultation process which normally precedes decisions on the precise parameters of legislation. Consideration of the extension of the Ombudsman's remit to cover various publicly funded institutions, including voluntary hospitals, is likely to arise in that context.