Written answers

Tuesday, 6 July 2021

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Freedom of Information

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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233. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he is satisfied in the context of the freedom of information publication scheme that all logs are published and up to date in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 2014; if not, the reason they are not published; and if he will update them as a matter of priority. [36127/21]

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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234. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the amount collected on an annual basis since the Freedom of Information Act 2014 commenced in respect of fees attached to freedom of information requests submitted to his Department. [36145/21]

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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235. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of freedom of information requests refused by his Department since the Freedom of Information Act 2014 commenced for the reason that search and copy costs would exceed the maximum threshold; the number of requests that were subsequently granted following engagement with the requester to narrow the scope of the request; and the costs associated with same. [36163/21]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 to 235, inclusive, together.

My Department publishes freedom of information disclosure logs on its website on a quarterly basis. The logs are up to date and in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act Publication Scheme requirements and can be found at the following link www.gov.ie/en/collection/5c178-foi-logs/.

Details of fees collected annually from 16 October 2014 to 30 June 2021 relating to Freedom of Information requests submitted to my Department are provided in the table below.

Year of Request Total Fees Collected Search & Retrieval Fees Internal Review Fees
2014 €1,180.27 €1,060.27 €120.00
2015 €1,266.12 €966.12 €300.00
2016 €1,727.00 €1,407.00 €320.00
2017 €1,318.00 €1,018.00 €300.00
2018 €1,760.00 €1,430.00 €330.00
2019 €1,290.00 €1,140.00 €150.00
2020 €939.00 €879.00 €60.00
2021 €210.00 €120.00 €90.00

With regards to the breakdown of requests refused due to search and retrieval fees being over the maximum threshold, and details of the number of requests that were subsequently granted following engagement with the requester to narrow the scope of the request and the costs associated with same, the information sought is not readily available and its compilation would involve a disproportionate amount of time and work.

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