Austin Deasy
Ceist:83 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Finance if the Government will appoint an Ombudsman to deal with grievances relating to matters under the control of the Department of Health including health boards.
Written Answers. - Appointment of Health Ombudsman.
Under the Ombudsman Act, 1980, and statutory instruments made thereunder, the Ombudsman is empowered to investigate complaints against the Department of Health and where, administrative matters are concerned, the health boards. Other bodies in the health area, including voluntary hospitals and special residential centres for the mentally handicapped, are not at present covered by the Ombudsman's remit but the question of extending it is being examined in the context of the Department of Health review of the Charter of Rights for Hospital Patients.