Data Protection
Please review The Child and Family Agency (Tusla) Privacy Notice, Data Protection Responsibilities of the Researcher and Research Ethics Committee Privacy Notice to Researchers. Please then confirm at Confirmation of Data Protection Review and Compliance that you are aware of how personal data may be processed at Tusla; your obligations in processing data on behalf of Tusla or as a joint Data Controller; and how your data may be processed as a researcher.
Child and Family Agency (Tusla) Privacy Statement
The Child and Family Agency (Tusla) is the dedicated State agency responsible for improving wellbeing and outcomes for children. The Agency operates under the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, a progressive piece of legislation with children at its heart and with families viewed as the foundation of a strong healthy community where children can flourish. Partnership and co-operation in the delivery of seamless services to children and families are also central to the Act. Tusla is committed to protecting the rights and privacy of individuals in accordance with European Union and Irish data protection legislation and the other legal requirements to which Tusla is obliged to adhere.
The Child and Family Agency (Tusla) needs to lawfully & fairly process personal data about employees, clients, suppliers and other individuals in order to achieve its mission and functions. Your personal data may be exchanged with other Government Departments, Agencies and Third Parties in certain circumstances where this is provided for by law or is necessary to complete the processing of your data. Your personal data will be processed in compliance with all relevant data protection legislation and the other legal requirements to which Tusla is obliged to adhere.
Full details of the Child and Family Agency’s Data Protection Policy is available on the Tusla Hub setting out how we will use your personal data as well as information regarding your rights as a data subject are available at Tusla Data Protection and Privacy Policy (2021)
For applicants external to the Agency, details of this policy is available www.tusla.ie/about/privacy-statement/ and also available in hard copy upon request.
For an overview of the Child and Family Agency’s Processing Activities and the types of data we process, you can view our organisational ‘Record of Processing Activities’ when made available on the Tusla website www.tusla.ie.
Research Ethics and the Data Protection Act 2018
The Data Protection Act 2018 was ratified on 24th May 2018. The Data Protection Commission will provide guidance arising out of the legislative provisions under the Act. This will include guidance relating to the processes or procedures for the management and conduct of research projects, which will have implications for the ethical review of research projects. Based on guidance from the DPC, this application form has been revised in accordance with European Union and Irish data protection legislation and the other legal requirements to which Tusla is obliged to adhere.
Applicants shouldld familiarise themselves and comply with the GDPR regulations; Data Protection Act 2018,and act in accordance with the relevant legislation, (Health Research) Regulations 2018,(formally titled Data Protection Act 2018 (Section 36 (2)), Article 29 Working Group guidance and other guidance issued by the Data Protection Commission and the Agency on publication.
Research Ethics Process Privacy Notice
The Child and Family Agency (Tusla), has responsibility under Part 2 Section 8 (1)(f) of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 to “undertake or commission research relating to its functions”.
In support of this function, Tusla’s Research Ethics Committee reviews research proposals for ethical approval and the group’s decisions are independent of any other RECs. The review of applications is carried out for, but not limited to, Tusla staff (including Tusla commissioned research), academics from national and international institutions, research institutes, consultants, multi-centre studies, and students qualifying at National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) levels 8, 9 and 10.
Where a research project involves “Health Research” as defined in Data Protection Act 2018 (Section 36(2)) (Health Research) Regulations, the Health Research Regulations must apply. Where a research project may not constitute “Health Research” because it is service evaluation, professional training, standard social care professional practices or because it is not in the domain of health sciences, it is advisable to follow the regulations to ensure the safeguarding of sensitive personal data. Researchers should be fully aware of the guidelines on “Health Research” (including the scope of the definition) provided by the Health Research Consent Declaration Committee at www.hrcdc.ie.
In support of this function, Tusla’s Research Ethics Committee reviews research proposals for ethical approval and the group’s decisions are independent of any other RECs. The review of applications is carried out for, but not limited to, Tusla staff (including Tusla commissioned research), academics from national and international institutions, research institutes, consultants, multi-centre studies, and students qualifying at National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) levels 8, 9 and 10.
Tusla’s Research Ethics Committee is responsible for assessing the benefits and risks of proposed studies for research participants, the organisation and wider society. Review is required where proposed research relates to the following criteria:
• Tusla Commissioned research
• Potential research participants identified from, or because of their past or present use of services provided by Tusla (including services provided under contract with the private, voluntary or community sectors).
• Potential research participants identified because of their status as relatives or carers of past or present users of services provided by Tusla.
• Potential research participants identified because of their status as providers of Tusla’s services.
Applicants who meet these criteria, and seek ethical approval from the Agency, are required to complete the following electronic Application Form.
The Agency’s REC application form asks for the following personal information from Applicants, co-applicants and supervisors (if applicable)
- First name
- Last name
- Address
- Phone number
- Email address ((preferably, your email address which is related to your workplace or academic institution as applicable)
- Evidence of Garda Vetting
Please note that this personal information is required for the purpose of reviewing your application and will not be shared with any third party external to the Agency. Your personal data is stored electronically on a secure server Your personal data is only shared with members of the Research Ethics Committee, and with other Tusla staff members such as Tusla Legal or Tusla Data Protection, if required, for the purposes of research ethics review. Your personal data is included on an internal research register for the purposes of bringing together information on all research applications made to the Agency and will not be shared with any third party external to the Agency without your explicit consent to do so. After the completion of your research study, we will use the internal research register to contact you every twelve months for an update on the progress of your research and to ask for your consent for a summary report of your research to be made public on the Tusla Research Centre www.tusla.ie/research
If you have any questions, please contact the Research Ethics Committee Administrator:
e: recadmin@tusla.ie
PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD THE FOLLOWING BEFORE BEGINNING THE APPLICATION PROCESS.
