Aithníonn Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Laoise an tábhacht atá leis an Acht um Shaoráil Faisnéise 2014 agus atá le cúnamh a thabhairt do chomhlíonadh riaracháin an Achta. Déanfaidh Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Laoise a dhícheall an méid a leanas a chinntiú:

• An chuid is mó d’fhaisnéis a chur ar fáil trínár suíomh gréasáin agus foilseacháin.
• Faisnéis eile a chur ar fáil ar iarratas.
• Má tá an fhaisnéis a iarrtar faoi réir díolúine, cuirfidh Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Laoise an tástáil leasa phoiblí i bhfeidhm chun a chinneadh an féidir an fhaisnéis a scaoileadh.

Scóip an Pholasaí
Tá sé mar aidhm sa pholasaí seo na taifid ar fad a cruthaíodh in Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Laoise a chlúdach, m.sh. taifid ar thaifid phoiblí iad freisin faoi théarmaí Achtanna na dTaifead Poiblí 1958 agus 1967. Folaíonn sé seo ríomhphoist agus taifid leictreonacha eile. Tugann an polasaí achoimre ar dhea-chleachtas agus aithníonn sé na freagrachtaí atá ag Coiste Bainistíochta agus foireann Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Laoise maidir le Saoráil Faisnéise. 

Freagrachtaí maidir le Saoráil Faisnéise
Is le lucht bainistíochta Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Laoise an fhreagracht is mó maidir le Saoráil Faisnéise ach tá freagrachtaí ag na baill foirne ar fad freisin a dhéanann taifead ar fhaisnéis, ar pháipéar nó trí mhodh leictreonach, faoin Acht um Shaoráil Faisnéise agus faoin bpolasaí seo.

An Rannóg TF
Tá an rannóg TF freagrach as a chinntiú go gcuirtear foilseacháin ar taispeáint ar shuíomh gréasáin Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Laoise agus go ndéantar athbhreithniú rialta air sin lena chinntiú go bhfuil sé suas chun dáta agus go n-oibríonn na naisc ar fad mar is ceart.

Taifid/ Cartlanna/ Leabharlann
Tá an fhoireann freagrach as an méid a leanas:
Freagra a thabhairt ar fhaisnéis, bíodh sé sin tríd an bhfaisnéis a chur ar fáil, nó trí atreorú iarratas ar fhaisnéis dhíolmhaithe a fhiosrú.

An tAcht um Shaoráil Faisnéise
Forálann an tAcht um Shaoráil Faisnéise 2014 go bhfuil na cearta dlíthiúla seo a leanas ag gach duine ón 21 Aibreán 1998:

• Rochtain a fháil ar fhaisnéis atá i seilbh Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Laoise lena mbaineann reachtaíocht um Shaoráil Faisnéise.
• Faisnéis oifigiúil a bhaineann leis/ léi féin a leasú i gcás ina bhfuil an fhaisnéis sin neamhiomlán, mícheart nó míthreorach.
• Cúiseanna le cinntí a fháil a bhaineann leis/ léi féin.

Aithníonn Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Laoise an tábhacht atá leis an Acht um Shaoráil Faisnéise 2014, agus chun cúnamh a thabhairt do chomhlíonadh riaracháin an Achta, déanfaidh an tIonad a dhícheall a chinntiú go gcuirfear faisnéis chuí ar fad ar fáil don iarratasóir agus aird á tabhairt ar rúndacht, príobháideachas, breithiúnas agus leas an phobail.

Is é polasaí Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Laoise ná tacú le ceart duine aonair breathnú ar aon fhaisnéis atá á coinneáil fúthu laistigh den Ionad féin. Ba chóir rochtain ar thaifid duine aonair féin a chur ar fáil trí riarachán – faoi réir díolúintí.

Tarlaíonn díolúintí:
Nuair nach féidir rochtain ar fhaisnéis a chur ar fáil duit go díreach faoi rochtain riaracháin, cuirfear ar an eolas thú faoi seo agus molfar an rogha duit iarratas a dhéanamh faoin Acht um Shaoráil Faisnéise 2014. Ar an mbealach céanna, d’fhéadfadh faisnéis áirithe a bheith chomh híogair sin nach féidir déileáil le hiarratais ar rochtain ach amháin faoin reachtaíocht um Shaoráil Faisnéise.

Ag déanamh iarratais ar fhaisnéis
Ní mór do dhuine aonair atá ag déanamh iarratais ar fhaisnéis faoin Acht um Shaoráil Faisnéise 2014 é sin a dhéanamh i scríbhinn chuig Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Laoise. Caithfidh an duine aonair dóthain faisnéise a chur ar fáil chun cúnamh a thabhairt lena dtaifid a aimsiú, lena n-áirítear; dáta breithe, seoladh reatha agus an seoladh roimhe sin, agus teagmhálacha ar bith a bhí aige/ aici le seirbhísí ar leith agus dátaí garbha.

Beidh ar Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Laoise aitheantas duine aonair a dhearbhú ar bhealach iomchuí, mar sin, d’fhéadfaí cruthúnas ceannachta a iarraidh ar an duine aonair, m.sh. cóip dá bpas reatha nó dá gceadúnas tiomána (nó cáipéis aitheantais oiriúnach eile). Tá sé seo riachtanach chun rúndacht a chosaint. Go ginearálta, ní ghearrfar aon táille ar chóipeanna de thaifid phearsanta. Tá sé de cheart ag Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Laoise táille a ghearradh, má tá líon mór taifead i gceist, as fótachóipeáil, áfach (Féach scála na dtáillí thíos).

Bíonn dhá chineál táille i bhfeidhm -
Táillí “réamhíoctha” nach mór a bheith ag gabháil le hiarratas ar thaifead neamhphearsanta faoi alt 7 (nó iarratas ina dhiaidh sin ar athbhreithniú).

Táillí/ éarlaisí maidir le costais chuardaigh agus aisghabhála agus atáirgthe taifead a scaoiltear chuig iarratasóir.

Tá na sonraí go léir faoi na táillí Saorála Faisnéise ar fad le fáil bhFógra CPU 11, agus tá cóip de sin ar fáil ar shuíomh gréasáin na Roinne um Shaoráil Faisnéise ag www.Freedom of Information.gov.ie. Tá achoimre ar na táillí Saorála Faisnéise leagtha amach thíos.

Táillí Réamhíoctha

* Ní bheidh táille i gceist i gcás ina ndéanann duine achomharc i gcoinne cinneadh táille nó éarlais a ghearradh, nó táille nó éarlais de mhéid áirithe.

** Beidh táille laghdaithe i gceist maidir le daoine atá clúdaithe ag cárta leighis agus tríú páirtithe, is é sin daoine a dhéanann achomharc i gcoinne cinneadh a dhéanann comhlacht poiblí a gcuid faisnéise a scaoileadh ar mhaithe le leas an phobail.

Táillí do chuardach agus aisghabháil agus cóipeáil taifead a scaoiltear

Cuardach agus aisghabháil: €20.95 san uair*

Táillí cóipeála**

Fótachóip in aghaidh na bileoige: €0.04

Diosca bog: €0.51

CD-ROM: €10.16

Radagraf: €6.35

*Ní chuirtear san áireamh í mura bhfuil sa taifead ach faisnéis phearsanta ach amháin i gcás ina mbaineann deonú an iarratais le líon suntasach taifead.

**Ní chuirtear san áireamh í mura bhfuil ach faisnéis phearsanta sa taifead agus mura mbeadh sé réasúnta, ag féachaint d’acmhainn an iarratasóra, táille a ghearradh.

Faisnéis Neamhphearsanta
Glacfaidh Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Laoise air féin sonraí atá suas chun dáta faoi na polasaithe agus na nósanna imeachta faoina bhfeidhmíonn sé a chur ar fáil don phobal. Foilseofar an fhaisnéis sin ar ár suíomh gréasáin agus d’fhéadfaí í a chur ar fáil do dhaoine aonair ar iarratas. D’fhéadfadh iarratasóir rochtain a lorg ar fhaisnéis neamhphearsanta agus próiseálfaidh Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Laoise an t-iarratas seo faoin bpolasaí seo. Ní mór do dhuine aonair iarratas a dhéanamh i scríbhinn chuig an Oifig Riaracháin, Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Laoise, Bóthar Block, Port Laoise, Co. Laoise.

Nósanna Imeachta Eile do Rochtain ar Thaifid

Is leis an eagraíocht ina bhfuil siad á gcoinneáil na taifid agus an fhaisnéis, i.e. Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Laoise. Coinnítear na taifid agus an fhaisnéis ar fad faoi shlándáil dhian agus, seachas sna cúinsí thuasluaite, ní fhéadfar iad a bhaint as Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Laoise ach amháin faoi na coinníollacha seo a leanas: –

• Ar thoghairm cúirte;
• Barántas cuardaigh;
• Orduithe cúirte;
• Fiosrúcháin phóilíneachta;
• Iarratas agus/ nó fiosrúchán ón gCoimisinéir Faisnéise nó ón Ombudsman;
• Ag Oifigeach atá údaraithe i scríbhinn ag an Aire.

D’fhéadfadh feidhm a bheith ag forálacha reachtúla reatha i reachtaíocht Oideachais/ Sláinte maidir le nochtadh faisnéise. Dá bhrí sin, déanfar scaoileadh na dtaifead/ na faisnéise sin ar fhorais leasa an phobail agus ar bhonn an dlí a choinneáil i bhfeidhm, a fhorfheidhmiú agus/ nó a riaradh.

An tAcht um Shaoráil Faisnéise
Forálann an tAcht um Shaoráil Faisnéise go bhfuil na cearta dlíthiúla nua seo a leanas ag gach duine ón 21 Aibreán 1998:

• an ceart rochtain a fháil ar thaifid oifigiúla atá i seilbh Ranna Rialtais nó comhlachtaí poiblí eile atá liostaithe san Acht;
• an ceart go gceartófaí nó go nuashonrófaí faisnéis phearsanta atá á coinneáil fúthu i gcás ina bhfuil an fhaisnéis sin neamhiomlán, mícheart nó míthreorach; agus
• an ceart cúiseanna a fháil le cinntí a dhéanann comhlachtaí poiblí a mbíonn tionchar acu orthu.

Ciallaíonn na cearta seo gur féidir le daoine rochtain a lorg ar fhaisnéis phearsanta atá á coinneáil fúthu ón 21 Aibreán 1998 - is cuma cathain a cruthaíodh an fhaisnéis - agus ar thaifid eile a cruthaíodh tar éis an 21 Aibreán 1998.

Teidlíochtaí faoin Acht um Shaoráil Faisnéise

• Caithfear a admháil go bhfuarthas d’iarratas laistigh de 10 lá oibre;
• Eiseofar freagra, i ngnáthchúinsí, laistigh de 20 lá oibre ó fuarthas iarratas bailí;
• Ní mór do gach cinneadh a bheith mínithe go soiléir, agus ailt an Achta a úsáideadh chun teacht ar na cinntí seo a bheith leagtha amach:

Beidh sonraí ar do theidlíochtaí ar Athbhreithniú Inmheánach agus ar d’achomharc san áireamh sa litir chinnidh.

Tugadh an tAcht um Shaoráil Faisnéise isteach chun:

• Oscailteacht a mhéadú;
• Freagracht a fheabhsú;
• Tuiscint an phobail a mhéadú do cheisteanna a bhaineann le cinntí polasaí;
• Úinéireacht phoiblí níos láidre agus glacadh níos láidre a thabhairt do chinntí a dhéantar;
• Cead a thabhairt do dhaoine rochtain a fháil ar a dtaifid agus iad a leasú má tá siad mícheart.

 Leagtar amach trí cheart dlíthiúil nua san Acht:-

• Tá ceart dlíthiúil ag gach duine rochtain a fháil ar fhaisnéis phearsanta nó neamhphearsanta atá i seilbh comhlachtaí poiblí;
• Tá ceart dlíthiúil ag gach duine faisnéis oifigiúil atá bainteach leis/ léi a leasú i gcás go bhfuil sé neamhiomlán, mícheart nó míthreorach;
• Tá ceart dlíthiúil ag gach duine cúiseanna ar chinntí a lorg a bhaineann leis/ léi.

Cuimsíonn na cearta seo taifid an duine féin agus i gcúinsí sonracha, taifid a leanaí agus a ngaolta marbha. Tá díolúintí dá bhforáiltear sna hAchtanna, ciallaíonn sé seo go bhfuil cúinsí sonracha ann nuair nach scaoilfear an fhaisnéis a iarrtar, m.sh. rúndacht a chosaint. Má úsáidtear aon cheann de na díolúintí seo chun faisnéis a choinneáil siar, míneofar na cúiseanna go soiléir.

Taifid ar féidir rochtain a fháil orthu faoi Shaoráil Faisnéise
Faoin Acht, is féidir rochtain a fháil ar na taifid a leanas:

• taifid ar fad a cruthaíodh i ndiaidh don Acht tosú ar an 21 Aibreán, 1998;
• taifid phearsanta ar fad chliant, aon uair a chruthaítear iad;
• taifid foirne ar fad a cruthaíodh i ndiaidh Aibreáin 1995, nó ní ba luaithe má úsáideadh go diúltach iad in aghaidh baill foirne; agus
• taifid ar fad a cruthaíodh ní ba luaithe má theastaítear iad chun taifid a cruthaíodh i ndiaidh an dáta sin a thuiscint.

Is féidir le duine aonair iarratas a dhéanamh ar rochtain ar thaifid. Ní mór don iarratas seo a bheith i scríbhinn ina gcuirtear in iúl go bhfuiltear ag déanamh an iarratais faoin Acht um Shaoráil Faisnéise agus ní mór dóthain sonraí a bheith san iarratas freisin maidir leis an bhfaisnéis i gceist ionas gur féidir an taifead a aithint.

Tá sé de cheart ag duine den phobal faisnéis a iarraidh maidir le gníomhartha comhlachtaí poiblí a bhaineann leo. Is nós imeachta foirmiúil é iarratas Saorála Faisnéise agus caithfidh an comhlacht poiblí freagra a thabhairt laistigh de cheithre seachtaine. Déanfar an t-iarratas a mheas de réir an Achta ag féachaint do na díolúintí dá bhforáiltear, ina bhfuil an méid a leanas:

• Faisnéis phearsanta (seachas faisnéis a bhaineann leis an duine a bhfuil an t-iarratas á dhéanamh aige/ aici);
• Faisnéis a thugtar faoi rún d’Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Laoise;
• Forfheidhmiú an dlí agus sábháilteacht an phobail;
• Faisnéis atá íogair ó thaobh na tráchtála de;
• Plé comhlachtaí poiblí;
• Feidhmeanna agus idirbheartaíocht chomhlachtaí poiblí.

Ag déanamh iarratais faoin Acht um Shaoráil Faisnéise

Ní mór iarratas a dhéanamh i scríbhinn:

• Caithfear a lua san iarratas go bhfuil sé á dhéanamh faoin Acht um Shaoráil Faisnéise, 2014;
• Caithfear an t-iarratas a shíniú agus dáta a chur leis;
• Caithfear a lua go soiléir san iarratas na taifid/ an fhaisnéis go díreach a bhfuiltear ag déanamh iarratais orthu agus an méid sonraí agus is féidir a chur ar fáil (i.e. suíomh scoile/ ionaid/ oifige, dátaí tinrimh srl.);
• Ba chóir go mbeadh an modh ina bhfuiltear ag lorg rochtana soiléir san iarratas, mar shampla, chun an bunleagan a fheiceáil in Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Laoise nó chun fótachóipeanna den bhunleagan a fháil, taifead closamhairc a chloisteáil/ a fheiceáil, cóip de dhiosca ríomhaire nó de ghléas leictreonach eile a fháil srl.
• Cuir cruthúnas céannachta ar fáil de réir mar is ábhartha don fhaisnéis atáthar ag lorg;
• Glacfaidh Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Laoise le hiarratais a dhéantar trí litir, facs, ríomhphost agus ríomhphost gréasáin.

Is féidir iarratais Shaorála Faisnéise a sheoladh tríd an bpost go dtí:

Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Laoise, Bóthar Block, Port Laoise, Co. Laoise.

Nó trí ríomhphost chuig This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Sonraí ar an bPróiseas Saorála Faisnéise agus na Cearta chun Achomharc a dhéanamh:

• Seolfar admháil laistigh de 10 lá oibre ó fuarthas iarratas bailí;
• Eiseoidh Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Laoise cinneadh don iarratasóir laistigh de 10 lá oibre nuair a fhaigheann sé iarratas bailí;
• Seolfar fógra, má tá síniú ama ag teastáil chun éascaíocht a dhéanamh ar chríoch an iarratais;
• Mura bhfuil duine aonair sásta leis an gcinneadh a rinneadh, is féidir leis/ léi achomharc a dhéanamh i scríbhinn chuig an Athbhreithneoir Inmheánach, ainmnithe sa Litir Chinnidh, laistigh de cheithre seachtaine an bhunchinnidh. Níl aon bhaint ag an athbhreithniú seo le cinneadh tosaigh an Chinnteora;
• Seolfar cinneadh iomlán ar an achomharc go dtí an t-iarratasóir laistigh de 15 lá oibre ó fuarthas an t-achomharc;
• Mura bhfuil an t-iarratasóir sásta le cinneadh an Athbhreithneora Inmheánaigh, is féidir leis/ léi achomharc a dhéanamh go díreach leis an gCoimisinéir Faisnéise (http://www.oic.gov.ie/en/) laistigh de shé mhí ón dáta a rinne an t-athbhreithneoir inmheánach a chinneadh, ina ndéanfar athbhreithniú neamhspleách ar an gcás.

Faisnéis mhícheart – Leasuithe ar Thaifid
Luaitear in Alt 9 den Acht um Shaoráil Faisnéise 2014: “(1) I gcás faisnéis phearsanta i dtaifead atá i seilbh comhlacht saorála faisnéise a bheith neamhiomlán, mícheart nó míthreorach, déanfaidh ceann an chomhlachta, ar iarratas chuige sin a bheith déanta chuige nó chuici, i scríbhinn nó i cibé foirm eile a chinnfear, ag an bpearsa aonair lena mbaineann an fhaisnéis, an taifead a leasú – (a) trína athrú chun go mbeidh an fhaisnéis iomlán nó ceart nó chun nach mbeidh sí míthreorach, de réir mar is cuí, (b) trí ráiteas a chur leis an taifead ina sonrófar na slite inar deimhin leis an gcomhlacht go bhfuil an fhaisnéis neamhiomlán, mícheart nó míthreorach, de réir mar is cuí, nó (c) tríd an bhfaisnéis a scriosadh as. (2) Maidir le hiarratas faoi fho-alt (1) – (a) sonrófar ann an taifead lena mbaineann agus an leasú atá ag teastáil, agus (b) beidh faisnéis chuí ann mar thaca leis an iarratas, a mhéid is indéanta é.

Laois Education Centre recognises the importance of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 and to assist administrative compliance with the Act Laois Education Centre will endeavour to ensure that:

• The majority of information is made available through our website and publications
• Other information is readily available on request
• If the information requested is subject to an exemption, Laois Education Centre will implement the public interest test to determine whether the information can be released

Scope of the Policy

This policy is intended to cover all records created in Laois Education Centre, i.e., records which are also public records under the terms of the Public Records Acts 1958 and 1967. This includes email messages and other electronic records.  The policy outlines good practice and identifies the responsibilities of the Management and staff of Laois Education Centre in terms of Freedom of Information.

Responsibilities for Freedom of Information

Ultimate responsibility for Freedom of Information rests with the Management of Laois Education Centre but all staff members who record information, whether on paper or by electronic means, also have responsibilities under the Freedom of Information Act and under this policy.

The IT section

The IT section are responsible for ensuring that publications are displayed on the Laois Education Centre website and  that this is regularly reviewed to ensure it is up to date and that all-links continue to work

The Records/Archives/Library

It is the responsibility of the staff to:

Respond to requests for information, either by supply of the information or referral of requests for exempted information are followed up.

The Freedom of Information Act

The Freedom of Information Act 2014 provides that from 21st April 1998, every person has the following legal rights:

• To access information held by Laois Education Centre to which Freedom of Information legislation applies
• To have official information relating to himself/herself amended where it is incomplete, incorrect or misleading
• To obtain reasons for decisions affecting himself/herself.

Laois Education Centre recognises the importance of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 and to assist organisational compliance with the Act, Laois Education Centre will endeavour to ensure that all appropriate information will be made available to the requester having regard for confidentiality, privacy, discretion and the public interest.

It is the policy of Laois Education Centre to support the individual’s right to view any information held about them within its facility.  Access to an individual’s own records should be provided administratively – subject to exemptions

Exemptions occur when:

Access to information cannot be provided to you directly under administrative access, you will be informed of this and advised of the option of making an application under the Freedom of Information Act 2014.   Similarly, certain information maybe of such a sensitive nature that requests for access can only be dealt with under the Freedom of Information legislation.

Applying for Information

Any individual applying for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2014 may do so in writing to Laois Education Centre. The individual must provide sufficient information to assist in locating their records, including; date of birth, current and previous addresses, any contacts they had with specific services and approximate dates.

Laois Education Centre will need to verify by appropriate means the identity of an individual, therefore the individual may be asked for proof of identity, for example providing a copy of current passport or driver’s license (or other suitable identification). This is necessary so as to protect confidentiality.   There will generally be no charge for copies of personal records. However, Laois Education Centre have the right to charge, if the quantity of records are very large, for photocopying. (See scale of charges below).

Two types of charges apply –

“Up-front” fees that must accompany a request for a non-personal record under section 7 (or a subsequent application for review)

 Fees/deposits in relation to search and retrieval and reproduction costs of records releasedto a requester.  Full details of all Freedom of Information charges are contained in CPU Notice 11, a copy of which is available on the Freedom of Information website at www.Freedom of Information.gov.ie.  A summary of Freedom of Information fees is set out below.

   Up-Front Fees

* Fee will not apply where a person appeals a decision to charge a fee or deposit, or a fee or deposit of   a particular amount.

** Reduced fee will apply in respect of persons covered by a medical card and third parties who appeal a decision of a public body to release their information on public interest grounds

Fees for search and retrieval and copying of records released

Search and retrieval: €20.95 per hour*

Copying charges **

 Photocopy per sheet: €0.04

 Floppy disk: €0.51

 CD Rom: €10.16

 Radiograph: €6.35

Disregarded if only personal information is contained in the record except where the grant of the request relates to a significant amount of records.

** Disregarded if only personal information is contained in recorded and it would not be reasonable, having regard to the means of the requester, to apply a charge.

Non-Personal Information

Laois Education Centre will undertake to make available to the public up to date details of the policies and procedures under which it operates. This information will be published on our website and may also be made available to individuals on request. A requester may seek access to non-personal information and Laois Education Centre will process this request under this policy. An individual must apply in writing to the Administrative Office, Laois Education Centre, Block Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois

Other Procedures for Access to Records

Records and Information are the property of the organisation at which they are held, i.e. Laois Education Centre.  All records and information are kept under strict security and apart from the circumstances above, may only be removed from Laois Education Centre under the following conditions: –

• Upon a Court Subpoena;
• Search Warrant;
• Court Orders;
• Police Investigations;
• Request and/or Investigation by the Information Commissioner or Ombudsman;
• By an Officer authorised in writing by the Minister.

Current statutory provisions in Education/Health legislation may apply to disclosure of information. Therefore, the release of such records/information will be made on the grounds of public interest and on the basis of upholding, enforcing and/or administering the law.

Freedom of Information Act

The Freedom of Information Act provides that from 21 April, 1998, every person has the following new legal rights:

• the right to access official records held by Government Departments or other public bodies listed in the Act;
• the right to have personal information held on them corrected or updated where such information is incomplete, incorrect or misleading; and
• the right to be given reasons for decisions taken by public bodies that affect them.

These rights mean that from 21 April, 1998, people can seek access to personal information held on them - no matter when the information was created - and to other records created after 21 April, 1998.

Entitlements under the Freedom of Information Act.

• Receipt of your request must be acknowledged within 10 working days;
• A response will, in normal circumstances, be issued within 20 working days of receipt of a valid request;
• All decisions must be clearly explained, setting out the sections of the Act used in reaching these decisions:

Details of your entitlements to Internal Review and appeal will be included in the decision letter.

The Freedom of Information Act was introduced to:

• Increase openness;
• Improve accountability;
• Increase public appreciation of issues involved in policy decisions;
• Give stronger public ownership and acceptance of decisions made;
• Permit people access to their records and allow them to amend records if incorrect.

The Act sets out three new legal rights: -

• A legal right for each person to access information of a personal or non-personal nature held by public bodies;
• A legal right to have official information relating to him/her amended where it is incomplete, incorrect or misleading;
• A legal right to seek reasons for decisions that affect him/her;

These rights extend to an individual’s own records and in specific circumstances, to those of their children and deceased relatives. There are exemptions provided for in the Acts, this means that there are specific circumstances when the requested information will not be released, e.g. to protect confidentiality. If any of these exemptions are used to withhold information, the reasons will be clearly explained.

     Records to be accessed under Freedom of Information

Under the Act, the following records are accessible:

• all records created after the Act commenced 21st April, 1998;
• all personal records of clients, whenever created;
• all records of staff created after 21 April, 1995, or earlier if used adversely against staff member; and
• all records created earlier if needed to understand records created after that date.

An individual may make a request for access to records. This request must be in writing stating that the request is made under the Freedom of Information Act and containing sufficient particulars in relation to the information concerned to enable the record to be identified.

A member of the public has the right to request information regarding acts of public bodies affecting them. A Freedom of Information request is a formal procedure and the public body is required to respond within four weeks.   The request will be considered in accordance with the Act having regard to the exemptions provided for which include:

• Personal Information (other than information relating to the person making the request);
• Information supplied to the Laois Education Centre in confidence;
• Law enforcement and public safety;
• Commercially sensitive information;
• Deliberations of public bodies;
• Functions and negotiations of public bodies.

Making a Request under the Freedom of Information Act

A request must be made in writing;

• The request must state that it is being made under the Freedom of Information Act, 2014;
• The request must be signed and dated;
• The request must state clearly the exact records/information being requested and supply as      much detail (i.e. school/centre/office location, dates in attendance etc.) as possible;
• The request should state clearly the manner in which access is sought, for example, to view the original in Laois Education Centre or to receive photocopies of the original, hear / view audio-visual record, obtain a copy of a computer disk or other electronic device etc.
• Supply proof of identity as relevant to the information sought;
• Laois Education Centre will accept requests by letter, fax, email, web mail.

Freedom of Information requests can be sent by post to

Laois Education Centre, Block Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois.

Or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Details of Freedom of Information Process and Rights to Appeal:

• An acknowledgement will be sent within 10 working days, of receipt of a valid request;
• Laois Education Centre will issue a decision to the requester within 20 working days upon receipt of a valid request;
• Notification will be sent, if an extension is necessary to facilitate the completion of the request;
• If an individual is dissatisfied with the decision made they may send an appeal in writing to the Internal Reviewer, named in the Decision Letter within four weeks of the original decision. This review is independent of the initial Decision Maker’s decision;
• A complete decision on the appeal will be sent to the requester within 15 working days of receipt of appeal;
• If dissatisfied with the Internal Reviewer’s decision the requester may appeal directly to the Information Commissioner (http://www.oic.gov.ie/en/) within six months from date of the internal reviewer’s decision, where an independent review of the matter will be carried out.

Incorrect Information - Amendments of Records

Section 9 of The Freedom of Information 2014 states “ (1) Where personal information in a record held by an Freedom of Information body is incomplete, incorrect or misleading, the head of the body shall, on application to him or her in that behalf, in writing or in such other form as may be determined, by the individual to whom the information relates, amend the record— (a) by altering it so as to make the information complete or correct or not misleading, as may be appropriate, (b) by adding to the record a statement specifying the respects in which the body is satisfied that the information is incomplete, incorrect or misleading, as may be appropriate, or (c) by deleting the information from it. (2) An application under subsection (1) shall, in so far as is practicable— (a) specify the record concerned and the amendment required, and (b) include