Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
1336. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has any usage policy on or if it sanctions for official purposes the use of messaging apps (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37203/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCentral advice from the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation is that all official correspondence should issue through official channels only. Non-official messaging services, such as those referenced by the Deputy, should not be used for official business other than in exceptional circumstances. If such services are used for official business, anything which constitutes a department record must be moved to an official department system as soon as possible for preservation. A guidance note to that effect has issued to all staff in my Department.
