CRC/C/ROM/CO/4 page 4 Independent monitoring 13. The Committee notes that the Ombudsman can receive and consider complaints directly from children. The Committee further notes the creation of a Division on the protection of the rights of the child within the institution of the Ombudsman and the filling in, after some delay, of the position of a Deputy Ombudsman in 2007 with responsibilities, inter alia, in the area of child protection. The Committee, however, remains concerned that the Ombudsman does not meet the criteria listed in the Paris Principles and notes that the existence of the Ombudsman is not well known. As a result, he receives few child-related complaints, while also these complaints are declining in relation to all complaints received. The Committee notes with concern the rejection by the Parliament of a draft normative act aiming at establishing the institution of a Child Ombudsman. 14. The Committee recommends, taking into account its general comment No. 2 (2002) on the role of independent national human rights institutions in the promotion and protection of the rights of the child, as well as its previous recommendations, that the State party reviews the status and effectiveness of the Ombudsman Institution for promoting and protecting children’s rights, taking into account also the criteria set out in the Paris Principles. This body should be equipped with the necessary human and financial resources in order to carry out its mandate in an effective and meaningful manner, especially with regard to its ability to receive and investigate complaints from or on behalf of children concerning violations of their rights. The Committee recommends that the State party, in line with previous recommendations, continue its efforts to establish an independent Ombudsman for children. Allocation of resources 15. The Committee notes the reported budget increase in public spending on education, health and child protection. However, the Committee is concerned that the budget allocation process may be insufficiently demand-driven and therefore not ensure the most effective and efficient use of allocated resources, as exemplified by spending in the child care and protection system. In light of the serious circumstances, including the high rates of infant and under-5 mortality, affecting the right to life of children, the Committee notes with regret that there are no specific budget allocations to children, while also no information is collected on the overall state spending in fulfilling obligations under the Convention, making it difficult to evaluate the adequacy of provided resources. The Committee also takes note of the concern expressed by the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (E/CN.4/2005/78/Add.2) that corruption is a problem at all levels of administration and undermines the enforcement of the law, the delivery of social services and the overall capacity of the State to prevent and redress human rights violations. 16. The Committee strongly recommends that the State party, in accordance with article 4 of the Convention and taking into account the Committee’s recommendations issued after the day of general discussion devoted to "Resources for the Rights of the Child - Responsibility of States" on 21 September 2007, increase the budget for the implementation of child rights and create a monitoring and oversight mechanism to ensure that allocation of resources and their expenditure are as effective as possible. In particular, the Committee recommends that the State party: