Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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46. To ask the Minister for Finance when his Department officials last met with the Data Protection Commissioner to ensure the highest standards are being met by the Department, and all agencies under its remit, in terms of compliance with data protection legislation. [14440/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I am informed that my Department's Data Protection Officer and officials in my Department have regular engagement as required with the Data Protection Commission (DPC), for example in fulfilling obligations under Section 38(5) of the Data Protection Act which requires a Minister to consult with the DPC before making regulations with respect to the processing of personal data that is necessary and proportionate for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest by a controller or for the exercise of official authority vested in a controller.

My Department's Data Protection Officer attends information sessions provided by the Data Protection Commission and last attended a presentation given by the Data Protection Commission on forthcoming issues in the data protection area and the DPC's Regulatory Strategy focus for 2025 in December 2024.

I am also advised that the Bodies under the aegis of my Department may engage with the Data Protection Commission (DPC) as required, for example in fulfilling obligations under Section 38(5) of the Data Protection Act.

In addition, some of the bodies under the aegis of my Department, have provided further detail below.

The Credit Review Office confirm that they have not met the Data Protection Commission. The Office engage with the Data Protection Commission when required, in fulfilling their obligations under the relevant legislation.

The National Treasury Management Agency Data Protection Officer provides Data Protection Office services to both Strategic Banking Corporation Ireland and Home Building Finance Ireland. The Data Protection Officer has never met with the Data Protection Commission in this regard. The National Treasury Management Agency Data Protection Officer has met with the Data Protection Commission in respect of the National Treasury Management Agency. The last such meeting was 21 December 2021.

The last meeting between the Data Protection Commission and officials from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners took place on 22 January 2025.

The Tax Appeals Commission has not met the Data Protection Commission to date. In addition to the above, in 2023, Internal Audit undertook a Data Protection audit which reviewed and assessed the adequacy of the Commission’s policies and procedures in relation to data protection and all recommendations have been accepted and actioned.