Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)

On behalf of the Minister of Health, who I am taking this on behalf of, I thank the Deputy again for raising this matter. The Department of Health encourages all staff to speak up and raise any concerns they may have relating to potential wrongdoings in the workplace.

The Department provides the necessary supports for any staff member who raises any possible wrongdoings. A staff member who makes a protected disclosure under the Protected Disclosures Act is protected from penalisation or threatened penalisation.

The Department has established procedures for the making of protected disclosures by workers who were employed by the Department and for dealing with such disclosures. These procedures have been developed in accordance with the guidance issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. The Department has both internal and external channels available for receiving reports of wrongdoing and details of how to make these reports through the appropriate channels are published on the Department's website. In accordance with the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022, all reports received via these channels are forwarded to the Office of Protected Disclosures Commissioner. The commissioner ensures that the report is submitted to the most appropriate prescribed person or suitable persons to deal with it. These measures ensure that all reports received are considered with transparency and impartiality. It is also possible for whistleblowers to make reports directly to the commissioner if they wish to do so.

Where a report is received for assessment, the concern is treated seriously and investigated where it is considered appropriate. Where an investigation takes place the identity of the person raising the concern is protected and remains confidential to the greatest extent possible, as required under the Protected Disclosures Act. The person raising the concern will be advised as to how the issue is being addressed, including the outcome of any investigation. Whistleblowers play an important role in revealing serious misconduct such as corruption, unsafe work practices or public health threats and improving accountability and transparency by fostering a culture where serious wrongdoing is not tolerated. As such, whistleblowers are protected under the Act from penalisation including dismissal, demotion, disciplinary action and reputational damage. The Department of Health takes these obligations very seriously and is committed to ensuring that all staff members feel that they can make reports of major wrongdoing without fear of penalisation. I am taking this on behalf of the Minister and will bring the matters raised to her attention.

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