Freedom of Information Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 December 2019

Wednesday, 4 December 2019

Questions (243)

Barry Cowen

Question:

243. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of freedom of information requests made to her Department in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the number of requests fully denied by reason; the number of requests partially denied; the number of appeals made against denials; the number of such appeals upheld; the number of such appeals rejected; the number of requests that required a fee; the amount received for freedom of information requests in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50596/19]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I am advised that the Department does not maintain statistics on the number of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests denied by reason.

The remaining information requested by the Deputy is set out in the attached tabular statements.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Tabular Statements

FOI Requests Received: 2016 to End November 2019

Year	Total Received	Requests Granted	Requests Part Granted	Refused	Search & Retrieval Fee	Internal Review Fee
2016	2,089	1,005	821	104	€280	€120
2017	2,443	1,136	932	166	€500	€390
2018	2,510	684	1,275	369	€512	€330
2019 *	2,209	624	1,250	163	€0	€180

* All figures provided for 2019 are preliminary

FOI Decisions Reviewed by Office of the Information Commissioner:

2016 – End November 2019

Year	Total Reviewed	Accepted	Affirmed	Ruled Against
2016	18	13	9	0
2017	39	26	13	1
2018	23	18	5	3
2019 *	22	17	6	0

* All figures provided for 2019 are preliminary