Policy information
Data Governance Board
From Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
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The Data Governance Board (the Board) was established by the Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath, under the Act, in December 2021.
The formation of the Board was a key milestone in the implementation of the Public Service Data Strategy 2021 – 2023 (Principle 8 – Data is effectively governed). It plays a pivotal role in delivery of a new framework for data governance across the Public Service. The Board is independent in the performance of its functions with support provided by the Data Governance Unit in the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer.
The Data Governance Board is chaired by the Government Chief Information Officer, Mr. Barry Lowry. There are currently 10 members in place.
Under the legislation, the Board has a clearly defined set of legal powers and obligations. The Board can:
- advise the Minister on the introduction of data management standards and guidelines
- promote and report on compliance with standards and guidelines
- advise the Minister on the prohibition of collection of certain data by public bodies
- advise the Minister on directing public bodies to share data under the Act
- advise the Minister on the designation and operation of base registries
- review all data sharing agreements under the Act
The Data Sharing Governance Framework is made up of 4 parts:
- the Data Sharing and Governance Act 2019
- the new guidelines, rules and procedures for sharing data under the Act
- the Data Governance Board and its committees
- the new Data Officer Network
Since its establishment, the Board has met 6 times. There are currently 10 members, each with a tenure of 3 years.
Membership is designed to encompass a wide range of views from across industry, academia, legal, societal representation and technical spheres in addition to the Public Service.
We are very fortunate with the diverse experience and expertise of the Board which will help Ireland become an exemplar and European leader in the use of data.
Data Governance Board Biographical Notes
DownloadThe current terms of reference for the Data Governance Board are available for download here.
Data Governance Board - Terms of Reference
DownloadThe Data Sharing and Governance Act 2019 (the Act), enacted in March 2019, gives further effect to the General Data Protection Regulation 2018 (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. It specifically clarifies the rules and exceptions of sharing citizens personal data between public bodies and gives surety and legality to those bodies wishing to begin disclosing or receiving data.
The Act was published in June 2018, passed in March 2019 and several sections of the legislation were immediately commenced. The second tranche of commencements in July 2021 allowed for establishment of the Data Governance Board.
The third and final commencement in December 2022 will enact the final section of the legislation, section 6 (2) and (3). Once this section is commenced, it will remove the legal basis for the disclosure of personal data as defined in section (38) of the Data Protection Act 2019.
The Act, a core part of the Public Service Data Strategy, sets out to reform the way Public Service Bodies (PSBs) share and use data in order to improve public services. It provides a general legal basis for PSBs to engage in the sharing of data, while also setting out appropriate safeguards under which such sharing must take place.
The Act also gives a range of powers to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to Public Service data governance. These include:
- the introduction of data management standards and guidelines
- prohibiting or enforcing the collection of certain data by PSBs
- directing PSBs to share data under the Act
- cataloguing all data sharing in the Public Service
- designating Base Registries
- the creation of a Unique Business Identifier
- the creation of a Personal Data Portal
- the creation of a Data Governance Board
The government wants to improve how data is governed and managed and this Act will allow data to be re-used in a secure, efficient and transparent way. This will benefit citizens, businesses and policy makers in government by facilitating a more consistent approach to data sharing. It will allow us to deliver integrated digital services for citizens and businesses.
In general the Board meets every 2 months. Since its establishment, the Board has met 6 times. Due to the nature and importance of the Board's work, it was necessary to establish committees to assist them in their role. The Data Sharing Committee and the Data Architecture and Technical committee have been established, with each committee reporting to the Board.
Press releases relating to the work of the Data Governance Board are available below:
Data Governance Board: Annual Report 2022
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