Protected Disclosures Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019

Tuesday, 23 July 2019

Ceisteanna (2701)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

2701. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of protected disclosures for which she has engaged an external consultancy and-or legal firm since 2014 to date; the name of the firms engaged; the year and the costs associated with engaging the consultancy and-or legal firms in respect of protected disclosures; the way in which persons are protected in cases in which an external consultancy firm is engaged in respect of protected disclosures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32398/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Since 2014 to date the Department has engaged an external consultancy firm in respect of one protected disclosure.

In 2018 the Department engaged a firm to investigate issues related to a protected disclosure as part of the other work it was undertaking on behalf of the Department. The name of the firm was Crowe Ireland and the total fee involved was €21,083.

Contracted firms must ensure that they have no conflict of interest and must comply with confidentiality requirements.