Investigation into source of leak continues
The Department of Social and Family Affairs has refused to comment any further on its international investigation into the circumstances which led to a national newspaper publishing the illness benefit entitlements of Longford County Mayor, Peggy Nolan.
Last week, reports alleging Cllr Peggy Nolan was claiming p10,000 a year in disability payments along with over p50,000 gross for her work as an elected representative emerged in the national press. It had been claimed Cllr Nolan was in receipt of weekly p196 payments for the past two years following an injury the Fine Gael councillor sustained during a fall almost five years ago.
Senior officials from within Minister Mary Hanafin's department first confirmed to www.longfordleader.ie last Wednesday evening that an inquiry had already been set in motion.
"The Department of Social & Family Affairs has launched an investigation into a possible breach of data protection in this case," a statement read.
Should the probe uncover any further insights into whether information was deliberately leaked, the department have warned the consequences for those responsible would be severe.
"The Department is committed to implementing the highest standards of data protection in respect of the information entrusted to it.
"Staff are fully aware that they must only access customer information in order to do their jobs and that it must never be discussed with or disclosed to any unauthorised third parties.
"Any breach of trust with regard to the confidentiality of personal data is treated as serious misconduct and comes under immediate consideration for dismissal."
Speaking to the Leader this week, Mayor Nolan said that she would be making no further comment in relation to the investigation.
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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