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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Dec 2000

Vol. 528 No. 1

Written Answers. - Freedom of Information Requests.

Question:

332 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of freedom of information requests received by his Department; the number of requests rejected; if he will review the treatment of freedom of information requests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29465/00]

During the period 21 April 1998 to 30 Nov ember 2000 my Department has received a total of 1,449 requests under the Freedom of Information Act – FOI – 1997. In addition, 110 requests were received by the social welfare appeals office.
The breakdown of these figures for the period 21-4-1998 to 30-11-2000 is as follows:

Department

Appeals Office

Received

1449

110

Granted

947

92

Part granted

287

13

Refused

146

4

Withdrawn

38

–

Internal Review

83

6

On hands 30/11/2000

31

1
Most requests were for personal records – 1278 or 88%. Some 67% of all requests were granted in full while 20% were released in part and 10% were refused in full under the exemptions provided in the FOI Act. The other 3% or so were withdrawn.
The FOI procedures are subject to continuous review in the light of developments, including decisions by the information commissioner, legal advice obtained and the experience shared among FOI units across the various Departments.
Many of the requests are time-consuming, particularly non-personal requests, as respects both search and retrieval of the records concerned and examining them to see if they can be released. I am satisfied that my Department is coping well and is giving a good service in processing requests under the legislation.
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