Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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36. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to reform freedom of information legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2335/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, an extensive review of the operation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) framework fed into the development of the FOI Act 2014 which introduced a modernised, consolidated, restructured and more accessible FOI system. The Act, alongside an FOI Code of Practice, seeks to bring about greater efficiency, consistency and promote best practice in the operation of FOI throughout public bodies.

FOI gives rise to significant challenges. The number, nature and complexity of requests continues to grow. To support the effective implementation of FOI, the FOI Central Policy Unit at my Department oversees a training framework to ensure consistency in standards and approach and over 9,000 participants have receiving training. The Central Policy Unit also provides ongoing support and advice to citizens and to FOI bodies through its website, www.foi.gov.ieand helpdesk and has presented at a number of conferences and training events. Networks for FOI Bodies have been established which provide an excellent means of sharing learning and expertise, assisting in the development of common approaches and facilitating the transfer of learning between FOI bodies.

Some 30,417 FOI requests were processed by public bodies in 2016, a record number and a doubling of the number reached under the previous Act, with some 73% of those requests granted either in full or in part. It is also worth noting that in only 3% of cases did requesters avail of the review mechanism available to them. Furthermore, only 1.5% of requesters seek an independent review by the Information Commissioner. The steps taken by my Department and the low level of appeals gives some indication of the progress being made in the implementation of the 2014 Act and the general satisfaction of requesters. As such I have no plans to further reform the freedom of information regime at this time.