Freedom of Information (FoI)
Overview
Freedom of Information (FOI) is governed by the Freedom of Information Act 2014, which provides individuals with the legal right to access records held by public bodies, correct personal information about themselves, and obtain reasons for decisions that affect them.
The Legal Aid Board has prepared and published this Publication Scheme concerning information of the Legal Aid Board which is consistent with a Model Publication Scheme and Guidelines made by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform under section 8 of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2014.This Scheme comes into effect on the 14th April, 2016.
Purpose of the Scheme
The Scheme commits the Legal Aid Board to prepare and publish as much information as possible in an open and accessible manner on a routine basis outside of FOI, having regard to the principles of openness, transparency and accountability as set out in Sections 8(5) and 11(3) of the FOI Act. This allows for the publication or giving of records outside of FOI provided that such publication or giving of access is not prohibited by law. The FOI Act 2014 enables members of the public to obtain access, to the greatest extent possible, consistent with the public interest and the right to privacy, information in the possession of public bodies, and accordingly, to provide for a right of access to records held by such bodies.
The Act requires that in preparing, reviewing or revising this publication scheme, the Legal Aid Board shall have regard to the public interest in:
(a) allowing public access to information held by the Legal Aid Board
(b) the publication of reasons for decisions made by the Legal Aid Board and
(c) publishing information of relevance or interest to the general public in relation to its activities and functions generally.
Publication Methods
Under this Scheme, the Legal Aid Board shall:
- Set out information to assist members of the public in their understanding of the Legal Aid Board and its functions
- Publish the information it holds grouped under the information headings set out in the table below and
- Explain the procedures to get access to information or to establish what information the Legal Aid Board holds.
The information in the Legal Aid Board's publication scheme is set out in the table below under 6 different headings. The scheme is web based with links from it to relevant information under the 6 headings which will be updated as provided for under the Act. A hardcopy is available for viewing by appointment.
| A. Information about the Legal Aid Board | B. Services provided or to be provided by the Board | C. Decision Making process for major policy proposals |
| D. Financial Information | E. Procurement |
F. FOI Disclosure Log and Other Information to be Published Routinely |
General Right of Access
In addition to this Publication Scheme, the Legal Aid Board also makes information available through a general right of access; when the information you seek is not contained in our Publication Scheme and you exercise your right under the FOI Act 2014, and make a formal application for information.
Freedom of Information (FOI) Requests
At the Legal Aid Board, we are committed to transparency and openness, in line with the principles of the Freedom of Information Act. We understand the importance of the public's right to access information, and we are here to assist you in navigating the FOI request process. We believe in operating with integrity and transparency, ensuring that the public's right to know is upheld.
Making a Freedom of Information Request
If you seek records held by the Legal Aid Board, you can make a Freedom of Information request. Here's how:
- Identify the Information: Consider the specific information or
documents you wish to access. The more precise you are, the better we can assist you. - Submit Your Request: You can send your FOI request to us via
email at foi@LegalAidBoard.ie or by post. - FOI Act: You must state your request is made under the FOI
Act. Please include your contact details and describe the information you seek. - ID Requirement: If you seek access to records which concern
your personal affairs, you may need to provide a copy of photographic ID. - Processing Your Request: We will acknowledge your request upon
receipt and aim to respond within 20 working days.
Please note that certain exemptions may apply, and in some cases, there may be a fee for the processing of your request.
Contact Us
For any enquiries or assistance regarding Freedom of Information requests, please do not hesitate to contact us:
Email: foi@LegalAidBoard.ie
Phone: 066 947 1000
Address:
Legal Aid Board
Quay Street,
Cahirciveen,
Co. Kerry.
V23 RD36
A fee may apply in respect of any FOI request to the Legal Aid Board in line with the Freedom of Information Act (Fees) Regulations 2014. Please see further information below.
|
Type of Request/Application |
Personal records |
Non-Personal records |
Reduced Fee** |
|
Initial record request |
Free* |
Free |
Free |
|
Internal review request |
Free |
€30 |
€10 |
*Subject to the number of records involved. See table below. A fee is then also subject to the requester’s means.
**Reduced fee applies to medical card holders or their dependants.
Search and Retrieval Fees
|
Estimated cost of search |
Fee |
Search and Retrieval |
Photocopy fee B/W |
Photocopy fee Colour |
|
Less than or equal to €100 |
No fee |
€0.04 per sheet |
€0.15 per sheet |
|
|
€101- 499* |
Full fees apply |
€20 p/hr |
€0.04 per sheet |
€0.15 per sheet |
|
€500 |
Maximum fee |
€20 p/hr |
€0.04 per sheet |
€0.15 per sheet |
|
€700 |
Upper maximum fee** |
€20 p/hr |
€0.04 per sheet |
€0.15 per sheet |
*Where the Legal Aid Board determines that the threshold of €101 will be reached in any request, the requester must pay a deposit of 20% before the search is commenced.
**The Legal Aid Board can refuse to process a FOI request above this amount. In that case it will propose revised search terms to the requester. Where a requester wishes to pursue a request above the upper maximum fee, full search, retrieval and copy fees will apply without limit. These will need to be paid by the requester.
If a fee applies, this can be paid by cheque, bank draft, or postal order. Details will be set out in correspondence from the Board FOI Unit.
The European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007 – 2014 enable a person to request environmental information held by the Legal Aid Board.
AIE information is information produced or received by a public body about the environment, its state, intended measures, or reports. Such information should be made available by public bodies and must be made available when requested, subject to some exceptions.
How to make an AIE request of the Legal Aid Board
A request to the Board for AIE must be sent to the Board’s Freedom of Information Section.
A person making an AIE request must:
- submit the request in writing;
- specify that the request is being made under the AIE Regulations;
- provide their name and address;
- be clear about what records are being requested (type, dates, etc.); and
- clarify if they require the records in a particular manner.
Under the Regulations, the Legal Aid Board can assist a requester word their request.
The Legal Aid Board FOI Disclosure Log of all non-personal data requests received is made available here in line with DPENDR Guidance. To support Open Data, the Disclosure Log is published in CSV format.