Gardai in Co Donegal have launched an investigation after a laptop containing the details of a number of children attending HSE Speech and Language Therapy services has been stolen.
It is believed that the laptop was stolen from the boot of a staff member’s car. Gardai also say that the parents and guardians of the children attending the services in Donegal received letters, from the HSE this week informing them of the theft.
It is understood that the laptop contained a caseload register which had the names, age group, schools, addresses and phone numbers of a number of children.
The Data Protection Commissioner had urged the service manager in the county to inform the parents of the theft. The theft occurred approximately 100 miles from the county and there is little likelihood, says the letter, of local access to the information.
Meanwhile the HSE has issued a statement apologising for the incident and say they are taking every step necessary to prevent any similar occurrence.