Ireland Doubles Down on Data Protection Funding

Ireland’s Office of the Data Protection Commissioner will enjoy more funding in 2015, thanks to a new budget that effectively doubles what it received in 2014. In total, €3.65 million has been allocated to the Office for 2015, according to a Dec. 18 announcement, up from the €1.89 million it recieved this year.

“The significant extra resources that we have secured for data protection for 2015 demonstrate the Government’s commitment to the protection of personal data, irrespective of the nationality of the individuals concerned,” Dara Murphy TD, Minister for European Affairs and Data Protection, said.

“Organizations in both the public and private sectors, including Government Departments, State bodies, multinationals and SMEs all need to be mindful of their obligations when dealing with data entrusted to them by citizens,” Murphy continuned.

“Increased resources are being made available to the independent Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, headed up by Helen Dixon, to ensure that Ireland continues to have an excellent regulatory and enforcement regime for data protection, and that we are fully equipped to adapt to the ever-increasing pace of change in the digital economy. We must also plan ahead for the changes that will be brought about by the new EU data protection regulation that is currently being negotiated.”

According to Murphy, the additional funding will allow the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner to hire additional staff and setup a Dublin office, adding to the existing location in Portarlington, Co. Laois. 

Ireland’s office of the Data Protection Commissioner is established under the 1988 Data Protection Act and is responsible for “upholding the rights of individuals as set out in the Acts, and enforcing the obligations” upon data controllers.