Dan Neville
Question:267 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if the proposed Ombudsman for Children will be established on a statutory independent basis reporting to Dáil Éireann. [18366/00]
Written Answers. - Ombudsman for Children.
The Government has approved the drafting of a Bill to establish an Office of Ombudsman for Children. A parliamentary draftsman has been appointed to prepare the Bill. It is proposed that the office will be independent and that the Ombudsman for Children will be appointed by the President and accountable to the Oireachtas. It is proposed that the principal functions of the Ombudsman for Children will be as follows: (i) the promotion of the welfare and rights of children; (ii) to respond to individual complaints; (iii) the establishment of mechanisms through which there will be regular consultation with children; and (iv) an advisory role to Government.