Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 2

Written Answers. - Public Voluntary Hospitals.

Liz McManus

Question:

105 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the concern expressed by the Ombudsman in his recent annual report that he does not have the power to investigate complaints against voluntary hospitals; the proposals, if any, he has for an appropriate mechanism for investigating complaints in view of the fact that these hospitals receive most funding from the public purse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10189/98]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

In his annual report for 1997, which was published on 16 April 1998, the Ombudsman noted that the Government intends to extend his remit to cover a number of new areas, including the public voluntary hospitals. A draft scheme of a Bill to give effect to this extension has been drawn up by my Department and circulated to other Departments for their views, prior to being submitted to the Government. I hope it will be possible to have the Bill published before the end of the year.