Data Protection

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 December 2020

Thursday, 3 December 2020

Questions (295)

Alan Kelly

Question:

295. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has been the subject of an investigation by the Data Protection Commission from 2016 to date; the number of specific investigations underway or completed; the dates on which his Department was first notified of the investigation; the details of the investigation; the nature of the complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40812/20]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Since my Department was established in July 2020, it has not been the subject of any formal statutory investigation by the DPC under the Data Protection Acts. There is an ongoing formal investigation relating to SUSI, a body under the aegis of my Department, which is a joint controller of data with my Department, in response to a breach reported by SUSI in 2018, prior to the establishment of my Department. As a data controller my Department engages with the Data Protection Commission as appropriate in relation to consultations and queries on an ongoing basis with regard to issues raised with them.