Departmental Communications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 February 2017

Thursday, 2 February 2017

Ceisteanna (156)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

156. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he or any Minister of State in his Department uses a personal e-mail account for work purposes; the security controls that are in place relating to the use of personal e-mail accounts for Department related business; if his Department has a policy on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5253/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

I refer to the reply to Question No. 240 of 13 December 2016.

Ministers of State Catherine Byrne and Damien English have both confirmed that they do not use non-Departmental personal email accounts for work purposes.

My Department does allow staff to access personal web-based email accounts from the network, but does not permit the use of such personal email accounts for Departmental confidential information.