Firstly, I would like to say that I am fully supportive of the work of the Ombudsman for Children, Dr. Niall Muldoon and the staff of his Office. The Office is not only a mechanism of redress but has a significant role to play as an independent national monitor in the area of children's rights.
In July 2016, the Ombudsman for Children submitted a business case to this Department proposing a significant expansion of his staffing resources. At my first meeting with Dr. Muldoon I indicated my support for his proposal and that it would be done on a suitably phased basis.
The allocation for the Ombudsman for Children's Office was increased from €2.154m in 2016 to €2.360m in 2017. I am pleased that in 2018 I secured an allocation of €2.733m for the Office. My Department's External HR Unit is working with the Ombudsman for Children's Office to obtain the necessary approvals to proceed with the required recruitment, and other temporary requested measures, as outlined in the following tables:
Year
|
Approval sought from Department for the following posts
|
Date received in Department
|
All posts sanctioned
|
Date of Sanction
|
2016
|
3 posts - 1 Office Manager (HEO replacement post)- 1xDigital Media Officer (EO)- Temp replacement for maternity cover
|
14.9.2016 14.9.2016 13.9.2016
|
3 posts
|
15.9.2016 14.9.2016 14.9.2016
|
2017
|
6 posts -Head of Education and Participation (AP)- Investigator (AP)- 2 x Education and Participation Officers (2xEO)- 2 x Early Resolution Officers (2 x EO) 2 temporary posts to cover maternity leave:- Communications Manager (AP)- Investigator (AP)
|
21.9.2017 13.11.2017
|
6 posts 2 temporary posts
|
28.9.2017 14.11.2017
|
2018
|
3 temporary posts to cover maternity - Participation, Rights and Education Officer (EO)- Human Rights & Policy Officer (AO)- Corporate Services Officer (EO)
|
5.3.2018
|
3 temporary posts
|
9.3.2018
|
Year
|
Funding Allocation
|
Expenditure
|
2016
|
€2.154m
|
€1.8m (underspend of €0.354m)
|
2017
|
€2.36m
|
€2.150m (underspend of €0.2m)
|
2018
|
€2.733m
|
|