Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
2806. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the investigative report by the Data Protection Commissioner in respect of the public services card will be published; if she has requested that the report be published; the status of the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33670/19]
View answerMy Department received the Data Protection Commissioner's draft investigation report in respect of the Public Services Card in August 2018.
The draft report contained a number of provisional findings and requested further information and clarifications on certain matters. The Department was specifically asked by the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner not to share the draft report with any other party and it has abided by that request.
My Department was given an opportunity to make submissions on the draft report so that the Commissioner could take account of such matters in their further considerations and in finalising their report. Those detailed and comprehensive submissions were provided in late November 2018.
A response from the Commissioner is now awaited. It is a matter for the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner as to when the Department will be provided with the next draft of the report.
A decision as to the publication of the final version of the report will be made once it has been made available to, and has been considered by, my Department.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
