Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the privacy rights persons visiting social welfare offices are entitled to; the way she enforces these rights; her plans to introduce reforms in this area; and if her attention has been drawn to problems that many social welfare recipients have when visiting social welfare offices in terms of being asked to convey confidential information to staff in public places. [36692/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Social Welfare offices provide a number of services such as provision of information; acceptance, authorisation and maintenance of claims for Jobseeker's Benefit, Jobseeker's Allowance and One-parent Family Payment; acceptance of PPS Number applications, etc. Every effort is made by staff in these offices to provide for confidentiality and privacy of persons who present for any of these services.

As far as possible, the layout and design of the offices provide for facilities to ensure the appropriate level of privacy for customers and staff in the conduct of their business. Such measures include the provision of screens and wall panelling with high absorption ratings and piped music (playing at reasonable volume) in the public waiting areas to facilitate the privacy of customers in the course of conducting their business, and acoustic screening at customer service points. Also, where appropriate, business can be conducted in private interview rooms.

In addition, staff are constantly mindful to take appropriate measures to ensure and safeguard the confidentiality and privacy of customers' personal data and information. This is also considered in the context of refurbishment of offices and when new offices are being commissioned.