Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In May 2021, there was a cyberattack on our health service. Letters to the many people affected by it have landed in west Cork in recent days. Their data, including telephone numbers, email addresses and other contact details, have been compromised. The letters are only being sent to these people 19 or 20 months after the cyberattack. There needs to be a significant campaign by the Minister to inform the general public of what is happening. Many people thought, 20 months later, that there could not be any issue with the data in their files. They have now been informed that those data were taken, which is causing significant unrest and concern. People have moved on but they need to be told what has happened, where the information has gone and what the next steps should be. This morning, two elderly women came to my office in Bandon who are deeply upset by the letters they received today. It is a significant issue and there is a need now for information from the Minister and the State. We all know the cyberattack happened but the public must be informed of the next steps to be taken. That information is not in the three-page letter people are receiving. This is really significant correspondence going to elderly people 20 months after the event. The Minister needs to come to the House and set out the plan he will put in place to address this issue. The world has moved on, people are concerned and they do not have the information they need.