I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 12 together.
Since the Protected Disclosure legislation was introduced in 2014, my Department has received 10 Protected Disclosures as set out in the table below
YEAR DISCLOSURE RECEIVED IN MY DEPARTMENT
|
NUMBER OF DISCLOSURES RECEIVED
|
EXTERNAL OR THIRD PARTY INVESTIGATION
|
CURRENT STATUS
|
2017
|
1
|
Legal advice procured to support Department officials.
|
Closed – no evidence of wrongdoing under The Protected Disclosure Act 2014 following investigation.
|
2018
|
1
|
Legal advice procured to support Department officials.
|
Ongoing
|
2019
|
3
|
Legal advice procured to support Department officials with one case.
|
Three closed with only one requiring investigation. No evidence of wrongdoing under The Protected Disclosure Act 2014 following investigation.
|
2020
|
4
|
Legal advice procured to support Department officials with two cases.
|
Two closed requiring no investigation. Ongoing investigation in the remaining two.
|
2021
|
1
|
|
Closed – no investigation required.
|
The Act imposes an obligation to protect the identity of the discloser and in this regard information cannot be given on individuals who have made disclosures.