As the Deputy will be aware, the Freedom of Information Act was extended to apply to the vast majority of publicly funded third level educational institutions in October 2001. My Department is committed to considering all other bodies under its aegis, including the small number of third level institutions which were not brought within the remit of FOI in 2001, with a view to their possible inclusion in further extensions of the Act.
The Government decided that the process of extending the Freedom of Information Act will continue so that all bodies appropriate for inclusion are covered by the end of the year 2005. I understand that consultations at official level will be initiated within the near future by the Department of Finance with a view to setting a date for the inclusion of the other bodies.
In relation to the primary and post primary school sector, provision for access to information concerning the operation of schools is provided for in the Education Act, 1998.
Appendix 1, which follows, includes the third level institutions mentioned above together with a number of other bodies under the aegis of my Department which, to date, have not been made subject to the Freedom of Information Act, 1997.
Appendix 1
National Qualifications Authority of Ireland,
Higher Education and Training Council,
Further Education and Training Council,
National Educational Welfare Board,
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta
Léargas,
Gaisce,
Teaching Council
Commission on School Accommodation Needs
Recognised primary and post primary schools
Vocational Educational Committees
Advisory Council for English Language Schools
Aontas, National Association of Adult Education,
National Literacy Agency,
Educational Centres
National College of Ireland
National University of Ireland
All Hallows College
Milltown Institute of Theology & Philosophy
Pontifical University of Maynooth
St. Patricks College Carlow
The Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies.
Institiúid Teangealaíochta Éireann
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Royal Irish Academy of Music
Royal Irish Academy