Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 July 2017
603. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of protected disclosures received from staff in his Department in 2016 and to date in 2017; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36766/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, Section 22 of the Protected Disclosure Act 2014 requires each public body to publish an annual report setting out the number of protected disclosures received in the preceding year and any action taken. This report must not result in persons making disclosures being identifiable. Reports in respect of 2016 and 2015 are available on my Department’s website.
In 2016, ten reports were considered under the Department’s Protected Disclosures Policy. Of these 7 did not relate to the Department or any Body under the Minister’s remit. Of the remaining three, on examination two were deemed not to be Protected Disclosures. The final correspondence is being treated as a Protected Disclosure.
To date in 2017, 2 reports were considered under the Department’s Protected Disclosures Policy. On assessment, neither were found to be Protected Disclosures as the disclosers were not workers of the Department and my Department informed these disclosers of the appropriate body to which their concerns should be addressed.
