In almost 98% of closed cases brought by the Ombudsman, the Public Service acted correctly. The cases were resolved and, where necessary, a recommendation implemented immediately.
This was confirmed in a new publication launched today by Principal Permanent Secretary Mario Cutajar, in which the Public Service responded to the annual report 2020 issued by the Ombudsman’s Office. Today’s publication is more than 400 pages long and gives an overview of each individual case, including at what stage the process is at and the action taken.
In 2020, the Public Service received 329 cases from the Ombudsman, of which 242 cases were closed. Of these 242 cases, 211 were closed without the Ombudsman or his Commissioners issuing a recommendation or after the Ministry replied following the Ombudsman’s first request for information. In 25 other cases, each was closed following an implemented recommendation. This means that of the cases investigated, only 6 (2.5%) of the recommendations were rejected or could not be implemented.
Out of the 74 cases from 2020 still pending, the overwhelming majority (68%) are with the Ombudsman, while a further 8% are awaiting judgement at court. In addition, 13 cases received in 2020 were withdrawn by the Ombudsman or the complainant.
Principal Permanent Secretary Mario Cutajar said that this was the sixth publication that the Public Service had launched this year, which is proof that the accountability that the Public Service introduced in recent years is working. He explained how this was possible through permanent structures, including the appointment of liaison officers in each ministry, and specialised training.
Mr Cutajar added that, for another year, the publication contained several recommendations on how to strengthen transparency and governance at the Ombudsman’s office. All these recommendations promote good practice, covering employment procedures for entities such as the Ombudsman, persons of trust in them, the introduction of deadlines so that the client is served within a reasonable timeframe, and other procedures.
The publication ‘Governance Action on the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s Annual Report 2020’ is available on the Public Service website: https://publicservice.gov.mt/en/Documents/Governance_Action.pdf
Source: Government of Malta