Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2025
323. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if there are any plans that housing organisations which are listed on the approved housing bodies register be prescribed as bodies which are subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2676/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraA comprehensive review of the FOI regime has been undertaken and is nearing completion.
The review process has been an open and collaborative one, taking in the views of a wide range of stakeholders. It commenced with a scoping process which sought the views of stakeholders across all sectors in setting the direction of the review. Approximately 1,200 responses were received from individuals, organisations, and public bodies. In addition, a customer satisfaction survey was undertaken to which a further 1,100, responses were received. This sought the views of both requesters and the staff of public bodies involved in processing requests. Based on key themes identified in the previous stages of information gathering, a full public consultation was undertaken, with 60 further responses received. In order to further tease out particular issues, a series of focus group sessions and interviews were carried out with key stakeholder groups. This process of engagement was accompanied by a review of international approaches to FOI, seeking to identify best practices and innovations globally. The report is now being finalised.
Pending publication of the review report, there are no plans at present to prescribe any further bodies for the purposes of the legislation. Moreover, the process of prescribing any further bodies, as set out in the legislation, would require consultation in the first instance with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, who has policy responsibility for the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019.
