Vol. 564 No. 5
211 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if vocational education committees are within the jurisdiction of the Freedom of Information Act 1997; and if not, when he is likely to include these bodies within the ambit of this legislation. [10050/03]
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government decided that the process of extending the Freedom of Information Act would continue so that all bodies appropriate for inclusion are covered by the end of 2005. I understand consultations at official level will be initiated by the Department of Finance with a view to setting a date for the inclusion of the other bodies. My Department is committed to considering all bodies under its aegis, which were not brought within the remit of freedom of information legislation, with a view to their possible inclusion in further extensions of the Act. The issue of the inclusion of vocational education committees within the Freedom of Information Act will be considered in this context.
