I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 149 together.
The Protected Disclosures Act 2014, as amended provides a mechanism for annual reporting on protected disclosures. To date, the reporting mechanism required every public body to prepare and publish not later than 30 June in each year a report in relation to the immediately preceding year in a form which does not enable the identification of the persons involved containing information relating to
(a) the number of protected disclosures made to the public body,
(b) the action (if any) taken in response to those protected disclosures, and
(c) such other information relating to those protected disclosures and the action taken as may be requested by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform from time to time.
These reports are available on my Department's web site.
The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 did not set out procedures for the various reporting channels. Best practice is that engagement with Disclosers be maintained and this practice has been observed. The Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022 strengthens the process of annual reporting and engagement by increasing the detail to be included in annual reports and providing procedures including time limits for the various reporting channels.
All Disclosures are reviewed on an ongoing basis and Disclosers informed of progress and action where it is proper and necessary to do so. Having regard to the necessity to maintain confidentiality of identity, it is not appropriate for me to comment on individual cases.
