Protected Disclosures

The department is strongly committed to the protected disclosure process and supporting people to speak up about their concerns of wrongdoing, as defined in the legislation.

A protected disclosure is a disclosure of relevant information which, in the reasonable belief of a worker, tends to show one or more relevant wrongdoings that came to the attention of the worker in a work-related context and is disclosed in the manner prescribed in the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 as amended by the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022.

Section 3 of the Protected Disclosures Act defines a worker as an individual who has acquired information on a relevant wrongdoing in a work-related context.

In order to make a protected disclosure, as defined in these procedures, internally to the department you should address such disclosure by way of the following:

• by email: protected@housing.gov.ie
• by post: Disclosures made by post should be marked confidential and sent to:

Head of Strategic and Business Support Unit, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Newtown Road, Wexford, Y35 AP90

Disclosures received by Ministers and Ministers of State are required to be forwarded to the Protected Disclosures Commissioner. The department will endeavour to transmit the disclosure to the Protected Disclosures Commissioner within 10 calendar days of receipt.

The reporting person’s identity will be treated confidentially in accordance with the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 as amended by the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022.

Contact details:

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

• by email: minister@housing.gov.ie
• by post: Disclosures made by post should be marked confidential and sent to:

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Minister's Office, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Custom House, Dublin, D01 W6X0

• phone number: +353 (0)1 888 2403

Minister of State for Local Government and Planning

• by email: ministerofstate@housing.gov.ie
• by post: Disclosures made by post should be marked confidential and sent to:

Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Custom House, Dublin, D01 W6X0

• phone number: +353 (0)1 888 2597

Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform

• by email: MOS@housing.gov.ie
• by post: Disclosures made by post should be marked confidential and sent to:

Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Custom House, Dublin, D01 W6X0

• phone number: +353 (0)1 888 2425

Transparency International (TI) Ireland

Transparency International Ireland provide independent and confidential advice for anyone considering reporting a concern or making a protected disclosure and have produced this guide: Speak Up Safety Guide

They can be contacted:

• at the Transparency International Ireland website
• by calling the 'Speak Up' helpline on 1800844866, Monday to Friday from 10am to 6pm or
• by email on helpline@transparency.ie

Where appropriate, the helpline can refer callers to access free legal advice from the Transparency Legal Advice Centre.

Civil Service Employee Assistance Service (CSEAS)

The Civil Service Employee Assistance Service (CSEAS) provides an internal Employee Assistance Programme to Civil Service staff.

The service is a work-based professional service which is designed to assist employees manage/resolve work-related and personal difficulties which, if left unattended may adversely affect attendance, work performance and quality of life. The civil service recognises its staff as a valuable resource. It aims to build and maintain a resilient workforce to deliver effective services by raising awareness of, and promoting, good mental health in the workplace.

Contacts:

• Phone number: 076 1000 030 (on-duty EAO available 9am to 5.45pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 5.15pm Friday, except Bank Holidays)
• Email: cseas@per.gov.ie
• Website: Civil Service Employee Assistance Service (CSEAS)

The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 makes it mandatory for all public bodies to publish an annual report in relation to protected disclosures.

The department's Protected Disclosures Annual Reports are available here.