Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

It was the issue regarding the banks that prompted me to put down this question. In recent years, eight items have been taken from officials of the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Five of those items were laptops taken from civil servants, three of which were taken in the home, one from a car and one from public transport. Were any of these items recovered? Did these events trigger any response within the Department at the time? What kind of information was on these laptops? The Minister stated it is not policy to hold sensitive information on laptops, so can she confirm there was no such information on these stolen laptops?

Is the Minister satisfied that the most up-to-date encryption data is used? We in this House were told there would be examination taking place of the encryption on the equipment we use. I am concerned that the same facilities may be operating in the Department of Social and Family Affairs as operate here and I would not like to think that is the case.

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