Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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208. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the protocols and-or guidelines he has issued in respect of the use of personal social media accounts by officials in his Department; the number of sanctions imposed by his Department on its own officials in the past ten years to date in respect of social media output by its officials, which are verbal, written or otherwise; if social media platforms are restricted on his Department’s network; if an application (details supplied) is available to use and-or download on to Departmental-issued mobile phones; and if not, if it is barred from use. [14518/23]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department issues its Social Media Policy (2020), an internal policy document, to all new staff joining the Department. Staff are required to acknowledge that they have received and read the policy. The policy applies to all employees of the Department, whether permanent, temporary or on contract, including interns and staff who are seconded into the Department.

The purpose of the policy is to inform staff of best practice when posting on social media and digital channels, and how best to conduct themselves whether in a professional or personal capacity.

Staff are also bound by data protection laws and the terms and conditions of employment not to discuss or disclose any information of a confidential nature except in the proper course of their employment. Staff in my Department are also asked to pay particular attention to sections 4-8 of the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour; the Dignity at Work policy; and the Official Secrets Act. Staff are also reminded of the requirements of the ICT Acceptable Usage and Internet Content Access Policy and restrictions on the use of the Department’s email system.

Recent National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) guidance on Mobile Device Security for Government Officials was also circulated to all staff in my Department for their information and attention.

In the event of non-compliance or where a staff member disregards the Department’s Social Media Policy, the line manager will investigate and consult with HR to ensure the issue is dealt with in line with established procedures, including disciplinary, as appropriate. No sanctions have been imposed by my Department on any officials in the past ten years to date in respect of social media output.

Regarding accessing social media platforms on the network, ‘social networking’ is a category that is blocked on the Department’s network. The Department’s mobile phone handsets have a secure area ‘containerised’ for official use, the application in question is not available to download in that secure containerised area.