Data office learns of laptop thefts on the radio

THE Health Service Executive (HSE) has been severely criticised for failing to inform the Data Protection Commissioner of the theft of 15 laptops, one of which was used by a social worker, from offices in Co Roscommon.

Yesterday, a spokesperson for the commissioner’s office said the data protection authorities first learned of the theft from RTÉ lunchtime radio news.

The commissioner has sought an urgent meeting with HSE officials to discuss this latest theft of laptops containing sensitive and confidential information.