The Freedom of Information Act, 1997 enables members of the public to access (with due consideration of public interest and right to privacy) information held by public bodies, including social work records. Government departments, local authorities, health boards (replaced in 2005 by the HSE), voluntary hospitals and a range of other public employers are all covered under the act. Agencies subject to the act are obliged to produce manuals outlining their functions, services, types of records, structures, procedures etc. The Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act, 2003 came into force on 11 April 2003. This Act introduced a number of important amendments to the 1997 Act, notably in relation to Section 19 (Government Records), Section 20 (Deliberations of Public Bodies), Section 24 (Security, Defence and International Relations) and Section 47 (Fees). A copy of the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act, 2003, explanatory material on that Act and a range of other materials relating to FOI can be accessed at www.foi.gov.ie .
Office of the Information Commissioner, 18 Lr. Leeson Street, Dublin 2.
Tel: 1890 223030. Fax: (01) 639 5674. Email: info@oic.ie Web: www.oic.gov.ie
The Freedom of Information Central Policy Unit (in the Department of Finance). Floor 3, 7-9 Merrion Row, Dublin 2.
Tel: (01) 6318258. Fax: (01) 6045750.
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