Higher Education Authority Administration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 May 2018

Thursday, 24 May 2018

Questions (70)

Alan Kelly

Question:

70. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to a group within an application (details supplied) that has been established for communication by members of the Higher Education Authority; his views on whether this is an appropriate method of communication between members of the authority; if a record is kept of all such communications; and if they are subject to freedom of information legislation. [23019/18]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The HEA has confirmed that a WhatsApp group has been established by members of the HEA board. It has also been confirmed that the purpose of this group is to arrange meetings and other logistical arrangements and is not used to discuss the on-going work of the Board.

I understand that content from WhatsApp, which has been accessed from state-owned mobile devices, has been previously released under the Freedom of Information legislation.