Freedom of Information Requests

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 February 2018

Tuesday, 6 February 2018

Questions (353)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

353. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE does not operate a single [e-mail] email address for FOI requests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5476/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is an independent body for the purposes of compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 2014.

While the use of a generic email, in Freedom Of Information Units, is not a statutory requirement, it is considered, by the Central Policy Unit in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, that it is best practice for bodies to have such email addresses in place.

I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply directly to the Deputy, on the matter of a generic email address for the HSE's Central Freedom of Information Office.