Wednesday, 11 Jul 2018

Written Answers Nos. 116-122

Disability Statistics

Ceisteanna (116)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

116. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Taoiseach the number of persons classified as having a disability and in employment; and the way in which this compares to the EU average. [31147/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

The exact information requested by the Deputy is not available.

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the official source of estimates of employment (ILO) in the State. This survey replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) from Q3 2017*. The most recent figures available for disability status (whether a person had at least one long-lasting condition or difficulty) are for Q2 2017.

In Q2, 2017, 242,600 persons aged 15-64 years had a long-lasting condition or difficulty of which 69,700 (28.7%) were in employment according to ILO definitions.

Updated data on disability status from the LFS will next be available in respect of Q4 2018.

Recent comparable data for other EU countries are currently not available.

Ministerial Advisers Data

Ceisteanna (117)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

117. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach the number of part-time and full-time media advisers employed in his Department; the Civil Service grade of each media adviser; and the cost over a full year of employing all such advisers. [31254/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The Government Press Secretary acts as a spokesperson for me, as Taoiseach, and the Government and is supported by the Assistant Government Press Secretary in coordinating the media relations of all Government Departments. The Government Press Secretary is paid at Assistant Secretary level while the Assistant Government Press Secretary is paid at Principal Officer level.

The Deputy Government Press Secretary - who is also based in my Department and is paid at Principal Officer level - coordinates communications for all the Independents in Government.

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Ceisteanna (118)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

118. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach the number of times Cabinet committee C (European Union including Brexit) has met; the dates of these meetings; and the attendees at each. [31418/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The Government approved the establishment of Cabinet Committee C on 5 July 2017.

This Cabinet Committee covers issues relating to the European Union, and assists the Government in its ongoing consideration of Brexit, as well as considering broader international issues. It also supports my participation as a member of the European Council.

Cabinet Committee C has met three times; on 11 September, 21 February and Thursday 21 June. The next meeting has not yet been scheduled.

In addition to myself in my role as Taoiseach, the membership of Cabinet Committee C includes the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade (with special responsibility for Brexit); Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform; Minister for Justice and Equality; Minister for Business, Enterprise & Innovation; Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment; Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport; Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection; Minister for Education and Skills; Minister for Health; Minister of State for European Affairs; Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection; Minister of State for Defence, and the Attorney General.

Given their significance, matters relating to Brexit are regularly discussed at meetings of the full Cabinet. In addition, I regularly meet with Ministers on an individual basis to focus on particular issues, including those relating to the EU and Brexit.

Preparation for Brexit at official level, both in relation to the negotiations and in preparing for the potential consequences of the UK's withdrawal from the EU, is intensive, with inter-departmental and senior officials' groups meeting regularly.

General Data Protection Regulation

Ceisteanna (119, 121, 122)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

119. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach the changes he has made to allow access by persons to their own data held by his Department and bodies under its aegis following the introduction of GDPR. [31478/18]

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

121. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach the data protection impact assessments his Department has commenced since 15 May 2018 [31519/18]

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

122. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach the measures he has taken in his Department further to the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's statement (details supplied) that the Data Sharing and Governance Bill 2018 is needed to provide a legal basis for certain data transfers. [31630/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 119, 121 and 122 together.

As the Deputy will appreciate, my Department is not a holder of personal data on the scale of some other public service bodies.

As regards access by persons to their own data held by my Department, such access was previously provided for under the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003. On the coming into effect of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in May 2018, my Department introduced quick links on the Department's website, under the headings "Protecting Personal Data" and "DOT Subject Access Request Form", to facilitate access under GDPR by persons to their own personal data held by the Department.

In relation to data protection impact assessments, Article 35 of the GDPR requires that such an assessment be carried out where 'a type of processing in particular using new technologies' is identified as 'likely to result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons'.

My Department has not commenced any data protection impact assessments since 15 May 2018.

As regards the Data Sharing and Governance Bill, which was published on 8 June by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I understand that this Bill is currently at Report Stage in the Seanad.

My Department will be proactive in its approach to implementation of any measures necessary to ensure adherence to the Bill when it has been passed by the Oireachtas.

Departmental Staff Data

Ceisteanna (120)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

120. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach the staffing complement and resources of his Department's data protection officer. [31502/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

My Department is committed to protecting the rights and privacy of individuals in accordance with the Data Protection Acts and the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

The Data Protection Officer (DPO) in my Department - who is at Assistant Principal (Higher) grade - is a member of the Information and Records Management Unit. There are currently 7.9 whole time equivalent staff working in the unit, which is headed by an Assistant Secretary General.

The DPO and a number of staff have already attended training courses on the GDPR and further training will be provided.

The Data Protection Officer also avails of advice from the unit within the Economic Division concerned with data protection and digital development. This unit contributes to a whole-of-Government approach to the challenges arising from the increasing digitisation of modern life and the associated significant increase in the amount of personal data generated.

Questions Nos. 121 and 122 answered with Question No. 119.