Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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137. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has issued memos and or circulars to boards of management, school managers and college presidents in respect of the use of CCTV cameras on their properties and facilities. [36632/22]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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138. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has a policy for the schools in respect of the use of CCTV in primary and secondary schools. [36633/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 138 together.

Under the provisions of the Education Act 1998, the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school.

The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner is the statutory body with responsibility for ensuring that organisations meet their obligations under the Data Protection Acts.

The general position is that in relation to the use of CCTV/surveillance cameras, all schools are subject to the Data Protection Acts and must ensure that any use of such equipment is carried out in compliance with these Acts.

Concerns in relation to whether an organisation including a school, is meeting its data protection obligations can be raised with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner.

Information is available on the data protections for schools website with particular information and advice in relation to CCTV at the following link:

www.dataprotectionschools.ie/en/Data-Protection-Guidelines/CCTV/Use-of-CCTV-Systems-in-Schools/