Results 2,921-2,940 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Anti-Poverty Strategy. (31 Oct 2007)

Martin Cullen: That has been the curse of it.

Anti-Poverty Strategy. (31 Oct 2007)

Martin Cullen: Ten minutes ago Deputy Shortall was suggesting the opposite to me. The Deputy is correct that one cannot look at these payments in isolation from each other. One has to look at them as a cohort of payments and examine how one can get the maximum benefit from them. I do not argue with that point. The Deputy is correct about access to public services. As much as any Deputy in the House, I...

Anti-Poverty Strategy. (31 Oct 2007)

Martin Cullen: That is a significant problem. There is no point——

Anti-Poverty Strategy. (31 Oct 2007)

Martin Cullen: There is no point——

Anti-Poverty Strategy. (31 Oct 2007)

Martin Cullen: Perhaps the Leas-Cheann Comhairle would protect me from being interrupted. I have interrupted nobody.

Anti-Poverty Strategy. (31 Oct 2007)

Martin Cullen: The simple answer is "Yes". I have set it out for the Deputy. Clear measurements are being put in place to ensure we can measure the outcomes. The Deputy is correct — I have no argument with that point. There is a policy on one side but there is a question as to whether we are maximising the outcomes on the other. This is why, within NAPinclusion and the measurements being put in place...

Anti-Poverty Strategy. (31 Oct 2007)

Martin Cullen: Only two weeks ago I met all 32 of the different groups involved at a pre-budget forum. To be fair, all of the groups put forward a very reasoned and reasonable case. However, the cost of doing what they requested for this year alone would be €3 billion to €4 billion, which is not feasible or realistic. Therefore, we are trying to identify the key issues that can be funded and...

Anti-Poverty Strategy. (31 Oct 2007)

Martin Cullen: What was the original question?

Anti-Poverty Strategy. (31 Oct 2007)

Martin Cullen: We are aware of the issue. It is being considered at present because it highlights exactly the trap in which one can end up when instigating and trying to target new and better policies. One can end up creating a situation which was not foreseen but which appears on the horizon. This is not unique and has happened before in other areas. The Department, with the Minister of State with...

Data Protection. (31 Oct 2007)

Martin Cullen: My Department, owing to the nature of its work, holds extensive and detailed personal information about customers. Most employees of the Department need and have access to this information to deliver the Department's services. The Department is aware of its obligations to its customers under the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003 to ensure information is collected appropriately, maintained...

Data Protection. (31 Oct 2007)

Martin Cullen: I confirm my earlier statement that since 2002 three investigations have been concluded which highlighted unauthorised disclosure of personal data by officials of the Department.

Data Protection. (31 Oct 2007)

Martin Cullen: There are six investigations——

Data Protection. (31 Oct 2007)

Martin Cullen: No, I said three investigations have been concluded since 2003.

Data Protection. (31 Oct 2007)

Martin Cullen: There have only been three——

Data Protection. (31 Oct 2007)

Martin Cullen: All I can do is ask the question and secure the relevant information. It is as simple as that. Six investigations are under way. Two cases were referred to the Department by the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, while five further cases relate to the disclosure of personal information and two further cases relate to alleged disclosure of personal information. The six...

Data Protection. (31 Oct 2007)

Martin Cullen: The number is not large. I am giving the Deputy the accurate figure which, in the scheme of things, is very low.

Data Protection. (31 Oct 2007)

Martin Cullen: There is constant look-back and study of all cases and the information gleaned is used to improve the security of the Department's systems.

Data Protection. (31 Oct 2007)

Martin Cullen: The Department has taken a number of initiatives. Since 2004, presentations have been given to more than 1,200 departmental staff, including 600 in the past 12 months. An Internet site is being developed to support staff in protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the Department's business information. The Department regularly produces posters on information security...

Data Protection. (31 Oct 2007)

Martin Cullen: I assure the Deputy that I raised this issue in the Department. One of the first steps I took in discussions with senior management was to raise this issue and I indicated that it would be intolerable if further breaches of security were to arise in the Department's systems. I cannot deal with hypothetical questions but only the facts available to me, nor can I speculate as to whether there...

Data Protection. (31 Oct 2007)

Martin Cullen: That information is not available, but I will get it if the Deputy tables a question on this matter. Deputy Enright asked how the information became available in the Department, but I do not have the details in front of me.