Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 May 2022
282. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been brought to emails sent from the Teaching Council on 27 April, 2022; if its mailing list was accessed or hacked; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22187/22]
View answerThe Teaching Council have informed the department that on Wednesday, 27 April 2022 the Teaching Council issued a communication to the register of teachers using its bulk email system. Soon after the email issued, it came to the attention of Teaching Council staff that the scheduled email did not issue and in its place a default template response was sent by the system in error.
Once the Council became aware of this error, the matter was investigated and it was quickly identified that the error was the result of a recent technical update to the bulk email system. It was further confirmed that it was not the result of a hack or other malicious event. The matter was rectified that day and shortly after all registered teachers received an email advising of the technical fault.
A copy of this email was published on the Council’s website to provide the necessary reassurance to teachers.
I wish to acknowledge the concern that this may have caused to teachers on the register, and the Council also wish to thanks those affected by the email system fault for their co-operation and understanding of this matter. The Council also confirm it is responding to all emails received as a result of this fault.
