The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.
I wish to advise the Deputy that as per the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2014, fees are only applied in respect of the time spent searching and retrieving records particular to a FOI request for records, and in respect of the copying of such records. Search and retrieval includes time spent in determining whether the Department holds the records requested, locating the records, retrieving the records or documents, extracting the information from electronic or hardcopy files or documents, and preparing a schedule specifying the records for consideration for release.
In most cases, there are no search, retrieval and copying charges where the request relates to the requesters personal records. However, the Act does allow that in situations where the request relates to a significant number of records that a charge may be levied having regard to the circumstances of the requester.
Fees are also applied in respect of requests for internal reviews of decisions on non-personal FOI requests and these are noted separately in table below.
Year
|
Total amount of Freedom of Information Search and Retrieval fees collected
|
Total amount of Freedom of Information Internal Review Fees collected
|
2014
|
€146
|
€30
|
2015
|
€123
|
€60
|
2016
|
-
|
€300
|
2017
|
-
|
€240
|
2018
|
€100
|
€180
|
2019
|
-
|
€270
|
2020
|
€554
|
€210
|
2021 (to date)
|
€462
|
€180
|