Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 80: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will list all valid non-personal freedom of information requests received by her Department, and agencies under her remit in 2006, 2007 and to 1 September 2008; if, in each case, a request was made for an additional payment in relation to anticipated search and retrieval costs, or other associated costs; the amount of the additional payment requested and the reason for same in each case; if the FOI request was subsequently not continued with by the applicant, was refined by the applicant, or if the requested payment was made in full in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45707/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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There are eight separate prescribed bodies within my Department and its Offices subject to the Freedom of Information (FOI) Acts. The figures outlined below are cumulative figures in respect of my Department and those bodies.

In 2006, there was a total of 58 valid non-personal FOI requests, of which 11 attracted search and retrieval fees of €119.00, €45.38, €40.00, €63.52, €50.79, €50.79, €46.42, €62.85, €1,047.50, €62.85 and €209.50, respectively. Of these 11 cases, the first was refined by the requester and in respect of the last 4, the requests were not continued, as the fees were not paid. The requested fee was paid in full in each of the other cases.

In 2007, there was a total of 49 valid non-personal FOI requests, of which 5 attracted search and retrieval fees of €47.14, €49.90, €20.95, €29.33 and €419.00, respectively. None of these cases was refined by the requester, and the requested fee was paid in full in all but the last case which is ongoing.

In 2008, up to 1 September, there was a total of 46 valid non-personal FOI requests, of which 6 attracted search and retrieval fees of €46.78, €80.00, €32.22, €50.79, €21.87, and €50.79. None of these cases was refined by the requester, and the requested fee was paid in full in each case.

FOI search and retrieval fees are based on the number of hours it takes to efficiently complete this element of the FOI process which involves locating all records considered to be within the scope of the request. The prescribed amount payable per hour has been set by the Minister for Finance at €20.95 per hour.

In relation to the processing of FOI requests in the agencies under the remit of my Department, this is a day to day matter for each agency and one in which I have no function.