Seamus Kirk
Question:92 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Finance the cost to date of providing information under the Freedom of Information Act, 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6400/00]
Written Answers. - Freedom of Information Act.
No central records are held on the overall cost to public bodies of administering the Freedom of Information Act. These costs, which, in addition to the direct cost of dealing with specific requests would include staff salaries, training and other overheads in the public bodies subject to the Act, are generally regarded as an integral part of the functions and running costs of the bodies concerned. However it is intended to do a survey of costs in these public bodies in the coming months.
On the latest figures available, fees totalling £11,032 have been charged to requesters under the Freedom of Information Act. In the majority of cases processed to date fees have not been levied.
Seamus Kirk
Question:93 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has for amending the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, due to the perceived abuses of the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6401/00]
A recent report prepared by the civil service users' network of administrative and procedural arrangements governing freedom of information identified a number of technical changes which might benefit both requesters and public bodies by allowing smoother processing of FOI requests. Amongst its recommendations, the CSUN report includes a number aimed at reducing the potential for misuse of the FOI Act.
The recommendations of the CSUN were considered recently by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance and the Public Service and by the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Strategic Management Initiative, and I will consider the views expressed by members of these committees before reporting to Government on the matter.