Information and Communications Technology

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 May 2023

Tuesday, 9 May 2023

Questions (560)

Ciarán Cannon

Question:

560. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Health if officials from his Department are using an application (details supplied) to conduct business; if his Department has had official meetings regarding the use of the application by officials; if his Department has assessed the risk of using the application by Department officials and the input of Government-related data into the application; if his Department is using or is considering using other forms of artificial intelligence; if his Department is considering banning the use of the application by Department officials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21087/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

My Department requires that all applications must be used in line with the Department’s policies and procedures in compliance with GDPR. The specified application has not been used by my officials to conduct business and my Department is not currently considering the use of such applications.

Access to the application has been denied pending a risk assessment of its use, and we will continue to follow best practice advice through regular communications with the National Cyber Security Centre on all aspects of cyber security related to application usage.