Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Jun 2000

Vol. 522 No. 2

Written Answers. - Freedom of Information Act.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

343 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, made to his Department in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18503/00]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

During the period 21 April, 1998 to 18 June, 2000 my Department has received a total of 1,148 requests under the Freedom of Information Act, 1997. In addition to this 87 requests were received by the social welfare appeals office.

The annual breakdown of these figures is as follows:

	Department	Appeals Office
21/4/98 to 31/12/98	286	23
1/1/99 to 31/12/99	557	42
1/1/00 to 18/6/00	305	22

The majority of these requests were for personal records. A small percentage, 8% in 1998 rising to 12% in this year, were for information of a non-personal nature.

The volume of requests received, and the proportion of requests that relate to personal information, is in line with what was expected. Over the above period, the average number of requests received weekly has risen from 8.5 to 13.3.

Many of the requests are time-consuming, both in the process of search and retrieval and in examination of the records requested. The requests for information of a non-personal nature in particular have caused additional pressures on staff in the relevant sections, but I am pleased with the way my Department has responded to the responsibilities imposed by the Freedom of Information Act.