Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Freedom of Information.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

1688 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the bodies in or under the aegis of her Department, which have not to date been made subject to the Freedom of Information Act, 1997; if consideration has been given to making each of these bodies subject to the Act; if so, the present state of such consideration; if each of the bodies in question have been consulted in the matter; if so, the present state of such consultations; if each of the bodies will be proposed to be made subject to the Act; if so, when; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16132/02]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan):

FOI has been extended to additional public bodies on a phased basis since it commenced in April 1998. The Government has decided that all bodies appropriate for inclusion will be covered by the end of 2005.

The only body under the aegis of my Department which has not been made subject to the freedom of Information Act is the Family Support Agency. It was established following the passing of the Family Support Agency Act, 2001.

Arrangements for the extension of FOI to the agency will be made. Consultations at official level will be initiated in the near future by the Department of Finance. My Department will consult with the agency to agree the necessary arrangements for its conclusion.

Question No. 1689 answered with Question No. 1668.