Accommodation for my Department and its Offices is provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in buildings which are either State owned or leased by the OPW on our behalf. Typically, the Department and its Offices are in shared accommodation, either with other Government Departments, public bodies or the private sector. The security arrangements specific to each building are a matter for all tenants involved.
Where CCTV cameras are in operation across the eleven buildings occupied by my Department and its Offices, the operation of same is in line with data protection legislative requirements and best practice, with visible CCTV signage in place. My Department has a dedicated Data Protection Unit and a lead Data Protection Officer who advises colleagues on data protection policies, including those of relevance to our health, safety and security arrangements.
As the Deputy will appreciate, in the best interests of the health, safety and security of all staff, visitors and members of the public to the buildings occupied by my Department, its Offices and other tenants, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on any specific security equipment used. Appropriate security measures are also needed to protect valuable property of the State.
I can assure the Deputy that local security arrangements and any specific equipment in use across each of these locations are underpinned by advice provided to my Department by An Garda Síochána.
The security arrangements operated by the Agencies under the aegis of my Department are a day to day operational matter for the Agencies and not one in which I have a direct function.
