After a six year delay, an ombudsman is to be appointed to investigate complaints about public bodies.

But there is still uncertainty about how the post will be funded long-term.

Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas announced in Tynwald last week that an appointed day order will bring in the Tynwald Commissioner for Administration Act on December 31 this year.

The Act was given Royal assent back in 2011 but never implemented, mainly because of concerns over how the ombudsman role would be funded.

Mr Thomas said the role would be phased, with the independent ombudsman initially given the power to investigate alleged maladministration in the eight government departments.

The role will subsequently be extended to cover other public bodies including local authorities as soon as possible, said the Minister.

Only complaints that arise after December 31 this year will be considered by the Commissioner for Administration.

For the first year, the post and administration costs will be funded by the Cabinet Office.

But Mr Thomas said the long-term funding had yet to be settled.

He said it was not known what demand there would be for the ombudsman.

But he added: ’I have no doubt that there will be demand. This is something which has been called for on several occasions by members.

’This Act has been lying dormant since 2011 in large part due to questions around how this role would be funded. The thorny questions of finance have continued to act as a block to the implementation of this important function.

’It is not just a question of how will we pay, moreover; it is also a question of who will pay.’

Mr Thomas said while it was not known what demand there might be, an idea of the costs could be based on other similar commissioner-based roles already in existence, such as the Police Complaints Commissioner.

In practical terms, this meant paying an annual retainer fee and an additional hourly rate for any work on top.

’At this point, we intend that all work incurred in relation to a complaint against a listed authority will be charged back to that authority,’ he said.

Mr Thomas said demand for the ombudsman would be carefully monitored and reviewed.

He said the role ’will bring a further degree of scrutiny and challenge to the work of government, which I hope and I believe is welcomed’.

’It will help us improve our processes and the way we deliver our services, and it will make government more accountable,’ he added.