Protected Disclosures

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019

Tuesday, 23 July 2019

Questions (477)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

477. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of protected disclosures for which he has engaged an external consultancy, legal firm or both since 2014 to date; the name of the firms engaged; the year and the costs associated with engaging the consultancy, legal firms or both in respect of protected disclosures; the way in which persons are protected in cases in which an external consultancy firm is engaged in respect of protected disclosures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32397/19]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 aims to protect workers who raise concerns about possible wrongdoing in their workplace. External consultancies contracted on behalf of a Minister by his/her Department are required to adhere to the obligations regarding protection of the person making the discloser as set out in the Act.

Information on the engagement of consultancies by my Department in cases where the Protected Disclosures Act was invoked is set out below.

Claims made under the PDA- 1	Consultants	Year Engaged	Cost
	Betterboards	2017	€2,460 (2018)
	Raiseaconcern	2018	€0 to date