Introduction to Freedom of Information
The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act came into effect on 21st April 1998 and was amended on 11th April 2003. The Act establishes a number of important new legal rights for those seeking access to official information. In future everyone will have the right:
· to access official records created after 21 April 1998 which are held by Government Departments or other public bodies listed in the Act;
· to have personal details on official records corrected or updated where such information is incomplete, incorrect or misleading; and
· to be given reasons for decisions taken by public bodies that affects them.
How does FOI work?
FOI gives everyone new legal rights to seek access to official information. Requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act must be made in writing to the LGCSB and should indicate that the records are being sought under the FOI Act. The requester will be notified of the decision on a request within 4 weeks of receipt of the request. As required by the Act, the Board has produced reference books which provide assistance in using FOI procedures.
The first of these reference books - FOI Section 15 Reference Book - is a guide to the functions and records of the L.G.C.S.B. It also provides further details on making requests under the Act and how decisions to refuse access to information may be appealed.
The second reference book - FOI Section 16 Reference Book - details the rules and practices of the LGCSB
What can I do if I am unhappy with a decision on my request?
If you are dissatisfied with the LGCSB’s response you can ask the LGCSB for an ‘internal review’ of the decision. A more senior officer will review the request and will advise you of the response within three weeks. If you are not satisfied with the decision on internal review, you may ask the Information Commissioner to review the matter.
Office of the Information Commissioner,
18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2.
Phone: (01) 6395689
Locall 1890 223030
email: info@oic.ie
Is there a charge for getting information under the FOI Act?
There is no application fee for requests for personal information relating to the requester. In the case of requests for non-personal information there is an application fee of €15 or €10 in the case of a medical card holder. There may also be further charges for the time spent retrieving records (€20.95 per hour) and photocopying records (4 cent per sheet).
There is no charge for applications to have incomplete, incorrect or misleading personal information corrected.
A fee of €75 must accompany applications for internal review of a decision in relation to non-personal records. A reduced fee of €25 applies if the applicant is covered by a medical card. There is no fee for internal review applications concerning only personal information relating to oneself or in relation to a decision to impose a fee or deposit.
A fee of €150 must accompany applications for review by the Information Commissioner. A reduced fee of €50 applies if the applicant is covered by a medical card.
There is no fee for review applications concerning only personal information relating to oneself or in relation to decisions to impose fees or deposits.
Do I need to make a FOI request to get information from the LGCSB?
No. It is not necessary to make an FOI request to get information from the LGCSB Information is already made available to the public through our annual report, our website, our Strategy Statement and in response to enquiries. Contact points for information on services provided by the Board are set out in our FOI Section 15 Reference Book.
Local Government Computer Services Board,
Freedom of Information Division,
Phoenix House,
Conyngham Road,
Dublin 8.
Phone: 01 6457000
Fax: 01 6457001
email: info@lgcsb.ie