The Social Development Minister's letting rip at her own department.

A just-released review is critical of the MSD's handling of client data.

It follows the failure of a data portal last month, that allowed one NGO provider to access the client folder of another.

Anne Tolley's unhappy with findings that show the system lacked proper governance, had poor project management, and there'd been insufficient due diligence done.

She said she's made it clear to MSD's chief executive that given previous IT issues, the department should have overseen the project appropriately.

Ms Tolley says an employment investigation is now underway as a result of the review.