Research and information management

Seven submissions (TUI, Pobal, Barnardos, ARA, UNESCO Chair (ITT), CPPN, Staff member 7) made broad, Department-level recommendations relating to research and information management and the need for evidence-based policy making. Pobal stated that they have “significant developmental opportunity to provide high value data and knowledge management services to DCEDIY”, and requested that the Department commits to complementing econometric data with wellbeing data in the SoS. Barnardos called for the SoS to promote “cross departmental and inter-agency research, as well as partnership with non-governmental organisations”. The UNESCO Chair (ITT) recommended considering the UN OHCHR “guidance on a human-rights based approach to data”, and engaging with the numerous ongoing international efforts to improve “guidance for the collection of quality, internationally comparable data”.

The ARA called for the DCEDIY to be “more open and transparent” with its management of information and records, and to create and maintain “accurate and authentic records that can be relied upon for an evidence-based approach to policy formulation”. This was echoed by CPPN and the UNESCO Chair (ITT). CPPN requested a commitment to “openness and information sharing” in the SoS, as well as a commitment to “respect the GDPR rights of all individuals, including their right to their own information”. The ARA also suggested that this will be particularly important when developing a “robust system to monitor supply and demand in the childcare sector”, and in ensuring that child protection and youth justice services can “protect the interests and fundamental rights of children in receipt of services or in the care of the state”. The ARA also recommended developing a standardised approach to the management of records and data in collaboration with a “wide range of stakeholders, including archivists who are uniquely placed to provide guidance on issues of access”. They suggested creating “a long-term strategy, particularly for records in digital format”

in order to reduce the risk of “information loss and potential liability” and increase “efficiencies and value for money”.