Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 261A

Disclosure of certain information to Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, etc

Section 261A provides for the sharing of employment-related information between government departments and bodies.

• The "specified body" is the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) envisaged under the "Towards 2016" social partnership agreement, published in June 2006.
• The Minister may share information about employers and individuals' insurable employment or self-employment status with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment or the specified body, overriding any confidentiality obligations.
• Information sharing works both ways — the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment or the specified body may also transfer such information back to the Minister.
• Information received under these provisions may only be used for employment rights compliance purposes and must not be disclosed to any other person or used for any other purpose.