Ombudsman remit - Expansion long overdue

Every parent will welcome news that their powers and those of Children’s Ombudsman Emily Logan will be greatly expanded from the end of this month, effectively opening the way for complaints against another 180 public bodies which provide services for children.

Following hard on the heels of last week’s Irish Examiner revelation that more than 30,000 cases of child neglect or abuse were referred to the HSE last year, the extension of the ombudsman’s remit will significantly enhance the importance of her role.

Coming after eight years of tireless lobbying, it will add to the workload of the ombudsman’s office, particularly on the educational front and the courts, both certain to be major aspects of its future role.

There is an onus on the Government to increase funding and staffing levels in line with its expansion into new areas where the ombudsman’s scrutiny is long overdue.