Data Protection
The Data Protection Acts 1988 & 2003 provide similar rights of access as the FOI Acts, the main difference being that the DP Acts do not apply to records of deceased persons. As with the FOI Acts, these rights extend to your own personal records and in specific circumstances, to those of your children. There are exemptions provided for in the Acts, this means that there are specific circumstances when the requested information will not be released. If any of these exemptions are used to withhold information, the reasons will be clearly explained to you.
Data Protection is the safeguarding of the privacy rights of individuals in relation to the processing of personal data. You supply information about yourself to many organisations, including the Child and Family Agency in order to avail of services or satisfy obligations. For the purpose of Data Protection, such organisations or individuals who control the contents and use of personal data are known as Data Controllers.