A departmental steering committee was established in my Department to oversee the implementation of the Act. The Department is also represented on the Freedom of Information Interdepartmental Working Group in the Department of Finance, which is co-ordinating the implementation of the Act throughout the Civil Service. Training is taking place for key decision makers and other staff.
Substantial staff resources, within existing staff allocations, are being devoted to preparations for the implementation of the Act, but it is not possible to distinguish between these and the activities of the Department, including the GIS generally. It remains to be seen whether there will be a requirement for additional staff resources or if other expenditure will be required after the Act comes into force.
My Department is at an advanced stage in the publication requirements under sections 15 and 16 of the Act. The final cost of these has not yet been ascertained.