Freedom of Information Requests

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 December 2013

Thursday, 19 December 2013

Questions (102)

Seán Fleming

Question:

102. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance the number of freedom of information requests received by his Department in 2012 and to date in 2013; the number of requests for which a search and retrieval fee was sought; the maximum fee sought by his Department in respect of a request received; the number of requests not proceeded following the non-payment of the search and retrieval fee sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55001/13]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

My Department received 216 FOI requests up to 17 December, 2013 and 265 FOI requests in 2012.

Search and retrieval fees are not sought in respect of every FOI request and where applied, are requested only in respect of non-personal information. The processing of FOI in the department is decentralised to individual officers and the decision to seek a search and retrieval fee is a matter for the individual officer who is managing the FOI request, in line with FOI legislation. Records are maintained in respect of FOI requests where the requester agrees to the payment of search and retrieval fees and pays a deposit or the full fee. Therefore in respect of those FOI requests the maximum search and retrieval fee received in 2012 was €251.40 and in 2013 (to date) was €412.25.