Data Protection

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023

Tuesday, 13 June 2023

Questions (231)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

231. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the security protections in place for remote workers within civil and public service organisations to safeguard against personal information of members of the public in audio, text and electronic form being inadvertently exposed to unauthorised third parties within the remote setting; if he can provide a copy of the remote working best practice guidelines for civil and public service workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28634/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

The formal blended working policy for my Department was developed in line with the Civil Service Framework for Blended Working. That framework highlights that employers and employees should be aware that their obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection Acts 1988 to 2018 are not confined to the employer’s work premises. They also apply when working remotely in any location.

As a result, applications for blended working in my Department considers the applicant’s ability to maintain compliance with data protection requirements.

Blended working arrangements are also supported by comprehensive training, guidance and communications. Staff are required to participate in OneLearning training which covers best practice for remote working. This needs to be completed before their blended working arrangements are formally approved. My Department has also rolled out mandatory training on Data Protection in a Blended Working Environment.