The Chief Executive of the Department of Social Care says they're doing everything they can to minimise the risk of personal information on service users going missing.
Chris Corlett was speaking after it came to light that a memory stick containing some 4000 documents including personal details on more than 100 service users and staff members was lost.
It belonged to a worker with Praxis Care who provide a range of services to individuals with learning disabilities and mental health conditions.
Whilst the incident was reported in August, it was only made public on Friday.
Mr Corlett has apologised for the distress caused by the loss of information.He adds that whilst he would have preferred to have informed the public of the mistake earlier, they had to put the welfare of their service users first.
All affected parties have now been contacted by the Department and he says they're working hard to ensure such an incident can never happen again.
Skills Strategy hopes to tackle 'significant' skills shortage
Loganair to remove Saturday service to Birmingham
Trial for Douglas man who denies keying car
Southern Pool board welcomes assurances over site's future
Looneys of Ramsey to close
Future of Belfast flights 'precarious' due to low passenger numbers
