Funding for the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner has been doubled, Minister of State for Data Protection Dara Murphy has announced.

A total of €3.65 million has been assigned to resource the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner for 2015, double the allocation of €1.89 million for 2014.

Mr Murphy said the funding demonstrates the Government’s commitment to the protection of personal data, “irrespective of the nationality of the individuals concerned.”

"Organisations in both the public and private sectors, including Government departments, State bodies, multinationals and SMEs all need to be mindful of their obligations when dealing with data entrusted to them by citizens," he said.

"Increased resources are being made available to the independent Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, headed up by Helen Dixon, to ensure that Ireland continues to have an excellent regulatory and enforcement regime for data protection, and that we are fully equipped to adapt to the ever-increasing pace of change in the digital economy."

The new resources will facilitate the recruitment of additional expert staff by the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner and the establishment of a Dublin office in addition to the existing centre in Portarlington, Co Laois.