In 2024, 57% of the recommendations made by the Office of the Ombudsman were implemented, a report shows.
The Parliamentary Ombudsman, Judge Joseph Zammit McKeon, presented the statutory Annual Report for 2024 of the Office of the Ombudsman to Speaker of the House of Representatives Anġlu Farrugia. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the work of the Office over 2024, detailing the institution's performance, its role in protecting persons from maladministration and its growing engagement with the public, a statement issued by the Ombudsman reads.
The report shows that in 2024, the Office of the Ombudsman handled a total of 564 cases, marking a 7% increase compared to the previous year. "331 of these cases were investigated by the Parliamentary Ombudsman - an increase of 13% over 2023. The Commissioner for Health addressed 76 cases, reflecting a 16% decrease, while the Commissioner for Environment and Planning dealt with 90 cases, showing a slight 2% decline. The Commissioner for Education handled 67 cases, representing a significant 31% rise compared to the previous year."
In total, of the 87 sustained cases closed by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2024, 50 recommendations (57%) were implemented, 15 (17%) were not implemented, 20 cases (23%) did not require a recommendation, and 2 cases (2%) were partially implemented, the report reads.
In his foreword to the Report, the Parliamentary Ombudsman highlighted that 2024 was a year of continued growth for the Office of the Ombudsman and its Commissioners. "The Office not only investigated complaints and issued recommendations but also played a proactive role in proposing ways for public bodies to improve services. Emphasising fairness, accountability, and respect for the persons, the Ombudsman underlined the importance of addressing failures in public services promptly and working collaboratively with public entities to reduce injustices," a statement by the Ombudsman's Office read.
The Annual Report also highlights the Office's expanding international engagement. Throughout 2024, the Ombudsman actively participated in meetings of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) at both European and global levels, the statement read. "The Office also became an Associate Member of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI). The Ombudsman reiterated his position that Malta should move towards establishing a National Human Rights Institution, with the Office extending its current remit in line with international standards, namely the Paris Principles."
Throughout 2024, the Office continued to engage actively with Parliament, it said. "The report includes the final opinions not implemented by public authorities which were tabled in Parliament, and reinforces the proposal made in the Ombudsplan 2025 for the creation of a dedicated standing committee of the House to debate such reports. This proposal, which is also supported by the Speaker of the House, aims to strengthen democratic oversight and ensure effective follow-up on the Ombudsman's work."