Vol. 496 No. 1
179 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has to provide funding for local authorities to deal with the increased demands for services due to the initiation of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22006/98]
Under the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, persons have a right of access to records held by local authorities. It is a matter for each local authority to make appropriate provision for any costs incurred arising from implementation of this Act and no specific funding is available from my Department for this purpose. Local authority income to meet such costs generally comprises income from rates, fees and charges for goods and services and Government grants. As a result of increased allocations which I have made from the local government — equalisation — fund in 1998 and from the new local government fund in 1999, local authorities will be greatly assisted in meeting any costs that may arise from the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act.
