Freedom of Information

Tuesday, 25 June 2024

Questions (541)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

541. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of contracted staff, full-time and part-time, employed by her Department, and by any body or entity under the aegis of the Department, who are specifically assigned to processing freedom of information requests (details supplied), in each of the past three years; the Civil Service grade of each; the number of freedom of information requests dealt with by her Department, or any body or entity under its aegis, in each of the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27239/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

I understand the Deputy is referring to the number of staff specifically dedicated to working on FOIs, that is, FOI officers and support staff, as opposed to decision makers.

The FOI Unit is a function of the Corporate Strategy and Communications Unit in my Department. The FOI function is managed by the FOI Officer at Assistant Principal level and supported by 2 Higher Executive Officers and 1 Clerical Officer. The staff in question are also assigned other duties outside of the FOI function.

The number of FOI requests dealt with by my Department over the past three years is set out below.

Year	Number of FOI Requests
2024 to date	43
2023	55
2022	46
2021	43

A Disclosure Log detailing all FOI requests received in my Department since it was formed in 2017 is published on gov.ie/drcd.

There are four agencies under my Department’s remit: The Western Development Commission; POBAL; Water Safety Ireland; and the Charities Regulator. These agencies are independent legal entities responsible for managing their own corporate affairs and staff matters in compliance with statutory obligations and the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. Information relating to such policies therefore, is a matter for each the bodies concerned.