The Data Protection Commission is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Data Protection Commission has supplied the following updates on the matter.
The Data Protection Commission operates from three offices at present, two of which are based in Dublin and the third in Portarlington. Currently, 30 staff members work at the Portarlington office across a number of teams (for example, complaint-handling, investigations) and they make a valuable contribution to the statutory functions and role of the Data Protection Commission.
The Data Protection Commission is currently in discussions with the Office of Public Works in relation to some renovation works at the Portarlington office and it hopes that this work will commence shortly.