The Freedom of Information Act, 1997 came into effect for the National Social Work Qualifications Board on 21st October 1999. The Act has since been amended by the Freedom of Information Amendment Act, 2003. The Acts give you the right to access records held by the NSWQB. You do not have to give a reason as to why you want to see any records. The NSWQB must give you an explanation if you are not given what you ask for. A decision on your application must normally be made within 4 weeks.
You can ask for the following records held by the NSWQB:
A "record" can be a paper document, information held on computer, printouts, maps, plans, microfilm, microfiche, audio-visual material, etc.
Yes. If you are not satisfied with the decision made about an FOI request, you may ask the NSWQB for "internal review" of the decision. A more senior officer will review your application. You will be told the result of this review within 3 weeks. If you are not satisfied with the decision on "internal review", you may ask the Information Commissioner to review the matter.
In brief, the following charges may apply when you make a request:
Fees that accompany a request for a record: A fee of 15 Euro must accompany a request for records containing non-personal information. This is reduced to 10 Euro if you are a medical card holder, or the dependent of a medical card holder. Neither of these fees applies if you are making a request for personal information.
Fees/deposits in relation to the cost of search and retrieval and copying of records released: You can also be charged for time spent finding records, and for any photocopying costs incurred by the NSWQB in providing material for you. Search and retrieval costs are 20.95 Euro an hour, while photocopying costs are 4 cent per A4 page. Such costs are very unlikely to arise in the case of requests for personal information, unless a significant number of records are involved.
Fees in relation to internal reviews: A fee of 75 Euro must accompany most applications for internal review of a decision made by the NSWQB. A reduced fee of 25 Euro applies to medical card holders and their dependents. There is no fee for internal review applications concerning only personal information relating to oneself, or in relation to a decision to impose a fee or deposit.
Fees in relation to external reviews by the Information Commissioner: A fee of 150 Euro must accompany most applications for review by the Information Commissioner. A reduced fee of 50 Euro applies if you are covered by a medical card, or in relation to a review concerning third party information. There is no fee for review applications concerning only personal information that relates to you, or to decisions to impose fees or deposits.
Under the FOI Act, anyone is entitled to seek access to information from the NSWQB that is not otherwise publicly available. The arrangements for availing of services and accessing and amending records under the FOI Act are set out in the NSWQB’s Section 15 Manual and Section 16 Manual.
Should you wish to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act for access to information held by the NSWQB, you may wish to download and fill in the request form (.doc file 48Kb).
Further information on Freedom of Information can be found at the following:
http://www.foi.gov.ie/
http://www.oic.gov.ie/en/
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