Introduction
Skillnet Ireland is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency and accountability.
A Protected Disclosure is a report of information relating to relevant wrongdoing that has come to a person's attention in a work-related context.
We encourage workers and other eligible persons to raise concerns where they reasonably believe wrongdoing has occurred or may occur. All protected disclosures received by Skillnet Ireland will be handled in accordance with the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, as amended by the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022.
Individuals who make a protected disclosure in accordance with the legislation are protected by law from penalisation for having reported their concern.
Contact Us
You can make a protected disclosure in any of the following ways:
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protecteddisclosures@skillnetireland.ie |
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Post |
Protected Disclosures |
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Online |
We check our emails and post every working day.
We will acknowledge receipt of your disclosure within the timelines required under the Protected Disclosures Act and will communicate any appropriate next steps with you.
Make a Protected Disclosure
When making a disclosure, please provide as much relevant information as possible, including:
- A clear description of the concern
- Details of the alleged wrongdoing
- Relevant dates, locations and circumstances
- Names of individuals involved, where known
- Any supporting documentation or evidence
- Your contact details, if you wish to receive feedback
You are not required to prove that wrongdoing has occurred. However, you should have a reasonable belief that the information disclosed is substantially true.
You don’t need to use legal terminology or identify specific legislation when reporting a concern.
Anonymous disclosures may also be submitted and will be considered in accordance with the Act and Skillnet Ireland's Protected Disclosures Policy.
Who Can Make a Protected Disclosure?
The Protected Disclosures Act applies to a broad range of workers, including:
- Current employees
- Former employees
- Contractors and consultants
- Agency workers
- Volunteers
- Board members
- Trainees and interns
- Job applicants
- Individuals participating in a recruitment process
What Can Be Reported?
Relevant wrongdoing may include:
- Breaches of legal obligations
- Misuse of public funds
- Fraud or corruption
- Risks to health and safety
- Damage to the environment
- Gross mismanagement of public resources
- Unlawful or improper conduct
- Deliberate concealment of wrongdoing
Personal employment grievances affecting an individual worker, where there is no wider public interest concern, should generally be addressed through the appropriate Human Resources procedures.
How We Handle Your Disclosure
When a protected disclosure is received, Skillnet Ireland will:
- Acknowledge receipt of the disclosure within 7 days, where contact details have been provided.
- Conduct an initial assessment of the information received.
- Determine what follow-up action, if any, is required.
- Communicate with the reporting person, where appropriate.
- Provide feedback on actions taken or planned within 3 months, except where restricted by law.
- All disclosures are assessed fairly, objectively and confidentially.
What Happens After You Report?
When a disclosure is received:
- An acknowledgement will be issued.
- An initial assessment will be completed.
- Appropriate follow-up action will be taken where required.
- Feedback will be provided, where permitted by law.
- Your identity will be protected as far as possible under the legislation.
- All disclosures are handled confidentially and in line with legal requirements.
Confidentiality and Protection from Penalisation
Skillnet Ireland is committed to protecting the identity of reporting persons.
Your identity will not be disclosed without your consent except where required by law or where disclosure is necessary and proportionate as part of an investigation or legal process.
A person who makes a protected disclosure in accordance with the legislation is protected from penalisation.
Examples of penalisation may include:
- Dismissal
- Suspension
- Demotion
- Unfair treatment
- Harassment or intimidation
- Discrimination
- Loss of training or promotion opportunities
Skillnet Ireland does not tolerate retaliation against any person who raises a concern in good faith.
Other Reporting Channels
While Skillnet Ireland encourages disclosures to be made through its internal reporting channels where appropriate, the Protected Disclosures Act also provides for reporting through other channels.
These may include:
- The Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner
- Prescribed Persons
- Transparency International Ireland
The Transparency Legal Advice Centre provides free legal advice to anyone wishing to speak up about wrongdoing. The service can be accessed by calling the Speak Up Helpline +353 1800 844 866.
Processing of Personal Data
We handle all personal information in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Irish data protection law and the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 (amended).
You can email our Data Protection Officer (DPO) about how we handle your information.
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dpo@skillnetireland.ie
Find out more about our commitment to data privacy here.
Not Sure if Your Concern is a Protected Disclosure?
Not every concern raised with Skillnet Ireland will meet the legal definition of a protected disclosure.
When we receive a report, we will review the information provided and assess the most appropriate way to handle it.
In some cases, the matter may be more suitable for another process, such as:
- A customer complaint
- A request for information
- A service feedback submission
- A Human Resources or workplace grievance process
- Another reporting or support channel
Where appropriate, we will let you know if another process may be better suited to your concern and provide information on how to access that process.
If you are unsure whether your concern is a protected disclosure, you can still contact us through our Protected Disclosures reporting channel. We will review the information received and ensure it is directed to the appropriate process.
For information on customer complaints, feedback and general enquiries, please visit our Customer Service page.
Annual Reporting
In accordance with legislative requirements, Skillnet Ireland publishes information on protected disclosures received each year as part of its governance reporting.
Annual Protected Disclosure Statistics
Year Protected Disclosures Received
2014 Nil
2015 Nil
2016 Nil
2017 Nil
2018 Nil
2019 Nil
2020 Nil
2021 Nil
2022 Nil
2023 One
2024 Nil
2025 Nil
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a protected disclosure?
A protected disclosure is a report of information concerning relevant wrongdoing that has come to a person's attention in a work-related context.
Can I make a disclosure anonymously?
Yes. Anonymous disclosures may be submitted and will be assessed in line with the legislation and Skillnet Ireland's procedures.
Will my identity be protected?
Yes. Skillnet Ireland will protect your identity as far as possible and in accordance with the law.
Will I receive feedback?
Where contact details are provided, Skillnet Ireland will provide feedback within the timelines set out under the legislation, subject to legal restrictions.
Do I need evidence?
You are not required to prove wrongdoing. However, you should have a reasonable belief that the information you are reporting is substantially true.
Can I raise a workplace grievance through this process?
No. Personal employment grievances should generally be addressed through the relevant Human Resources procedures unless the matter involves a wider public interest concern or relevant wrongdoing.
What is ‘reasonable belief’?
Reasonable belief means that you genuinely believe the information you are reporting is true, and that a reasonable person in the same situation would also consider it to be true based on the information available. You do not need to have proof or be certain that wrongdoing has occurred.