Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 148: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of requests under the Freedom of Information Acts received by his Department in each year from 2002 to 2005 and to date in 2006; the amount of money received in application fees for each year; the amount of money received in information retrieval fees for each year; the percentage of requests coming from journalists in each year; the percentage of retrieval fees that were charged to journalists rather than members of the public; the percentage of requests from journalists for which a retrieval fee was charged; the percentage of requests from members of the public for which a retrieval fee was charged; the average retrieval fee charged; the median retrieval fee charged; the number of cases in which the retrieval fee was waived; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33713/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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My Department maintains FOI statistics in a format required for reporting purposes to the Information Commissioner. From the data held it is not possible to develop all the specific statistical breakdowns required by the Deputy. The following table provides the information my Department has been able to produce in response to the Deputy's queries. In any analysis of the patterns relating to fees received from journalists as opposed to members of the public, it should be noted that journalists are heavy users of FOI and they frequently seek material covering a broader scope of records than might be sought by members of the public.

Notes to Table

1. Number of requests under the Freedom of Information Acts received by his Department in each year from 2002 to 2005 and to date in 2006: The figures for 2006 are up to 17 October 2006. With regards to data for 2002 and 2003 in columns 5 to 8 of the Table, it has not been possible to produce the statistical data sought by the Deputy due to the format of the financial tracking system in place at that time.

2. Amount of money received in application fees for each year: Application fees for FOI requests came into effect from 7 July 2003.

3. Amount of money received in information retrieval fees for each year: These figures cover gross fees received for the search and retrieval of records and photocopying fees.

4. Percentage of requests coming from journalists in each year: Requesters are not required to give their occupation or the reason for requesting access to records under FOI. The statistics record requests from journalists who have submitted requests identifying the publications they are associated with and those who are known journalists.

5, 6, 7 and 8. Percentage of requests from journalists for which a retrieval fee was charged: Retrieval fees charged covers retrieval fees paid and does not include requests withdrawn prior to payment of fees. "Members of the public" is deemed to exclude requests from Members of the Oireachtas and Staff members for the purposes of this request.

9. Median retrieval fees:

2004 €128.02

2005 €235.46

2006 €63.31.

With regard to the request for the number of cases in which the retrieval fee was waived, the Department does not record statistics on the number of cases in which the Deciding Officer waived the search and retrieval fees.