Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004
460 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if the remit of the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 will be expanded to include HETAC; the reason HETAC has not yet been brought under the remit of the Acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21974/04]
View answerThe Government will in the very near future be actively considering the extension of the Freedom of Information Acts to a number of additional State bodies including a number of bodies under the aegis of the Department of Education and Science. Among those bodies being considered for inclusion will be the Higher Education and Training Awards Council, HETAC.
Given the very large number of bodies in the public sector — in all there are over 600 bodies — the extension of the Freedom of Information Acts must of necessity be carried out on a phased basis, having regard to training needs and the logistics involved in meeting fully the Act's requirements.
