Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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99. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of whistleblower complaints in his Department since the legislation was introduced in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25659/19]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Finance has put in place a policy with related procedures for the making of Protected Disclosures, which have been developed in line with the Protected Disclosures Act, 2014. The Department’s policy and related procedures supports my Department’s strong commitment to ensuring that the culture and working environment of the Department encourages, facilitates and supports any member of staff in ‘speaking-up’ on any issue that may impact adversely on the Department’s ability to properly and fully carry-out all its roles and responsibilities to the high performance standard required.

As provided for under Section 22 of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, a report is required to be prepared and published on an annual basis setting out the number of disclosures made to the Department in the previous year, the actions taken in response to those disclosures and any other information as may be requested by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform under the Act.

I can advise the Deputy that since the introduction of the Act, two protected disclosures have been made to the Department. This is set out in the table below and also on the Department's website at the following link

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I can assure the Deputy that any appropriate issue raised by a member of staff relating to a matter connected to the conduct of the business of the Department will be dealt with professionally and appropriately.