Data Protection - Frequently Asked Questions

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Why is this data collected?

Under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Act 2014 and Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty, all public higher education institutions must undertake equality assessment and monitoring. This is in addition to having policies and plans to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of staff, students and the wider public that are served by the work of the higher education institution.

Additionally, collecting diversity data will enable the University to identify and address the equality, diversity, and inclusion needs of its staff and colleagues in a meaningful and effective manner. 

Read more about EDI Data Collection and Monitoring.

What data is being collected?

All the above information is required for anonymised diversity reporting, monitoring and analysis.

Who has access to this information?

There are strict laws in place to ensure the University protects your details and handles them responsibly.  Only selected members of the EDI Unit will have access to the raw (i.e. not fully anonymised) data:

• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Data Analyst (data access, analysis and report writing)
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Director (general oversight)
• Athena Swan Project Officer (Athena Swan data processing).

Your line manager or People and Culture Office personnel (except the HRIS manager, who will provide technical support only) will not have access to the data you provide using the ESS Diversity Tool.

How is my data going to be used?

Under no circumstances will individual data, or data that could identify a person, be used in any report.

How is this information stored?

Your data will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.  All the information disclosed by staff is stored in line with all the relevant Data Protection legislation and UCC Data Protection Policies and can only be accessed by yourself or the ESS Diversity Tool Project Team as outlined above.

The EDI Unit will retain anonymised statistical data (in the form of e.g. reports) for as long as necessary to fulfil the legal purposes for which it has been collected.

How is my data protected?

The University takes the security and integrity of all the personal data it holds very seriously.  To ensure that confidentiality is not undermined inadvertently, the University anonymises all data and never reports on small numbers where individuals could be identified (even for Freedom of Information requests).

 If you have any concerns regarding how your personal data is being processed, please contact the EDI Unit at ediunit@ucc.ie as your first point of contact.  You also have a right to report any concerns you have in relation to the processing of your personal data by the EDI Unit to gdpr@ucc.ie, or infocompliance@ucc.ie

Do I have to participate?

No. Your participation is completely voluntary. 

Are there any negative consequences predicted?

No. We do not anticipate any negative consequences from participating. You can contact ediunit@ucc.ie anytime if you have questions or concerns about the tool or your data.