Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 December 2019
60. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent of data sharing between Irish Rail and her Department on the free travel scheme and public services card. [50357/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraPeriodically, the Revenue Protection and Prosecutions Manager in Irish Rail submits a written request to my Department to ascertain whether a customer’s (details provided by Irish Rail) entitlement to Free Travel is valid or revoked and if revoked, from what date. These written requests are made under section 132 of the Railway Safety Act 2005, as amended and section 41(b) of the Data Protection Act 2018, as amended. In such cases, my Department confirms whether the Free travel entitlement is valid, or if the entitlement was revoked, confirms the date of revocation and the date the person concerned was notified of the cessation of their entitlement.
To date in 2019, 33 such requests were received by my Department; in 2018, 35 such requests were received; and, in 2017, 32 requests were received. I am advised that there is no record of the number of such requests (if any) received for 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
