Policy information
Data Governance Board
From Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
Published on
Last updated on
The Data Governance Board was established under the Data Sharing and Governance Act 2019.
The Board will work on the implementation of a new Data Sharing and Governance Framework. The Framework will provide a statutory basis for public bodies to share personal data in a safe, transparent way to deliver public services. Under the Framework, data will only be shared where necessary and only in accordance with the law.
The Data Governance Board will work with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to promote and implement the Framework. The Board will also report on public service bodies' compliance with the new standards and guidelines.
The Data Governance Board will assist with delivery of ongoing pan-government data sharing and new data sharing initiatives including those deriving from the forthcoming EU Data Governance Act.
The Data Governance Framework refers to the measures that have been put in place to facilitate the transparent sharing of data across the Public Sector:
- Data Sharing and Governance Act 2019
- the Data Governance Board
- a network of Data Officers across the public service.
- policy guidance from the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO)
- specialist committees for the Data Governance Board
In line with the legislation, all Data Sharing Agreements will be made available to the public for consultation. Once agreed and implemented, they will be added to a register of agreements which will be available here.
The Data Governance Board is chaired by the Government Chief Information Officer, Mr. Barry Lowry. There are 12 members of the Board.
Board membership is diverse and will provide wide ranging views from across industry, academia, legal, societal representation and technical spheres in addition to the public service.
Data Governance Board Biographical Notes
DownloadThe Terms of Reference for the Board were reviewed and agreed by all Board members.
Data Governance Board - Terms of Reference
DownloadThe Data Sharing and Governance Act clarifies the legality of data sharing between public bodies and introduces data governance within the Public Service on a statutory footing.
Data sharing is defined as the disclosure of information, including personal data, by a public body to another public body.
