Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 November 2019
132. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the date of each review and revision of the material published under the publication scheme of his Department as outlined in section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48205/19]
View answerMy Department takes a proactive approach to the publication of a wide range of official information and the ‘publication scheme’ is regularly updated in accordance with the “Model Scheme” provided for in section 8 of the FOI Act, 2014. The scheme is readily accessible and prominently published under the Freedom of Information section of my Department's website www.education.ie.
A Model Scheme was first published in April 2016 following cross departmental agreement on the contents to be included therein. It was subsequently updated as part of an upgrading of my department’s website in November 2017. Information is published under six key headings:
1. Information about the Department of Education and Skills
2. Services provided or to be provided to the public
3. Decision making process or major policy proposals
4. Financial information
5. Procurement information
6. FOI Disclosure Log
The practice within my Department is for routine publication of appropriate information to avoid the need for an FOI request. Rather than any scheduled overall update, the information within the scheme is under constant revision to ensure that it is kept relevant and up to date by the respective business units.
