Departmental Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023

Tuesday, 21 November 2023

Questions (302, 304)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

302. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the expenditure on cyber security consultants and companies within his Department in the past three years; if his Department engaged in cyber security audits with outside firms in the past three years; if so, the expenditure on same; the amount his Department spent on cyber security consultants and companies in the past three years; and for a breakdown of these expenditures by year and type of service provided [50819/23]

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

304. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has a policy and plan in place to address a ransomware attack and restore his Department's IT systems. [50855/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 302 and 304 together.

My Department has Cybersecurity policies and plans in place in relation to its IT Systems. My Department works closely with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which encompasses the State's national/governmental Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT-IE), and operates in accordance with NCSC guidance in this regard.

My Department does not comment on operational security matters as it would be inappropriate to disclose information that may in any way assist those with malicious intent.