My Department processes requests for access to personal records from former residents of industrial and reformatory schools in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 1997. It has been the experience of the Department that the Freedom of Information Act is sometimes not the most appropriate means of dealing with such requests as the records can, in some cases, contain sensitive information. In other cases, there may be no information. Furthermore, in many cases, the release of documents results in the need for individuals to be able to access services such as counselling, tracing and mediation. The Department, while recognising the need, is not best placed to offer such services to former residents.
Barnardos had already been involved in the process of record release in a limited number of situations where the nature of the record required a particularly sensitive and supportive manner of release. In order to provide a comprehensive and compassionate service and following a request from Barnardos, my Department agreed to support the provision of an information mediation service, Origins, for former residents of industrial or reformatory schools. My Department took account of the established competence and experience of Barnardos in the release of similar forms of information to persons in similar circumstances. The operation of Origins is governed by the terms of a service agreement which has been signed by both parties.