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• Press Release - 6 March 2003 (Ombudsman Publishes Digest of Cases)

Press Release - 6 March 2003 (Ombudsman Publishes Digest of Cases)

Press Release - 6 March 2003 (Ombudsman Publishes Digest of Cases)

The Ombudsman, Mr Kevin Murphy, today published A Digest of Cases (a selection of significant cases completed by the Ombudsman in 2000-2001) . The publication, which is the first of its kind, is intended to complement the Ombudsman's Annual Reports and not only gives details of individual cases completed in 2000-2001, but highlights the developmental role of the Office of the Ombudsman over the years. The publication illustrates how the Office goes about its day to day work, its approach to complaint resolution and how it identifies administrative weaknesses in public bodies. The digest also explains how the Office uses its extensive powers in examining complaints and achieving redress for the public where maladministration has occurred.

In his introduction Kevin Murphy explains the rationale behind the publication as follows:

"It is important that the man and woman in the street becomes more aware of how my Office goes about its work, the strengths and resources which enable it to achieve results and how it can obtain adequate and appropriate redress for the citizen. I hope it will also show those who need the services of my Office that there is a powerful resource at their disposal to assist them in their dealings with public bodies. This case digest will also be of interest to public representatives and organisations which provide advice and support to citizens and I hope it will encourage them to bring the services of my Office to the attention of members of the public who need them."

The digest gives details of 20 separate cases including the following:

• Southern Health Board - A man whose claim for Mobility Allowance was correctly refused by the Board was subsequently awarded Supplementary Welfare Allowance travel supplement of �12.70 per week;
• Bray Urban District Council - A reduction of �16,507 granted to a couple on the cost of the purchase price of their local authority house after the Office established that the initial valuation was faulty;
• Department of Social and Family Affairs - An elderly man whose local health board correctly refused to assist him with payment of his electricity bills was subsequently granted assistance under the Department's Treatment Benefit Scheme;
• Kilkenny County Council - Planning legislation was revised and tightened up in relation to the display of Site Notices following difficulties highlighted by this and other similar cases.

For Further Information Contact - Tom Morgan, Senior Investigator, Office of the Ombudsman Tel. 01-6395620 Fax. 01-6395674 email: tom_morgan@ombudsman.gov.ie