Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 July 2018
363. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the training her Department and agencies under its aegis will receive on GDPR legislation; when it will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29843/18]
View answerI understand that my Department appointed a Data Protection Officer (DPO), earlier this year in line with the requirements of Article 37 of the GDPR. To date, the DPO has undergone comprehensive training in data protection and is responsible for the oversight of arrangements for transition to the new regulatory regime, including revision of the Department’s existing Data Protection Policy, and the identification of training needs across the Department as well representing the Department on the Inter-Departmental Committee on Data Issues, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department was already subject to existing Data Protection regulatory provisions prior to the coming into effect of the GDPR. The requirements of the new GDPR legislation have been notified to all staff of the Department, and a number of staff in key areas within the Department have already been facilitated in attending external GDPR training and seminars. Further training requirements will be identified on the basis of the exercise and will be rolled out on a phased basis to a wider cohort of staff as part of the Department's ongoing Learning and Development programme.
Bodies and Agencies under the aegis of the Department are also subject to the GDPR and are engaged in the process of adapting procedures, including the provision of appropriate training to staff, to ensure compliance with the new legislative regime as part of their 2018 work programmes.
