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Freedom of Information
Introduction to Freedom of Information (FOI)
The Legal Aid Board is a public body subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, as amended by the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act, 2003.
The FOI legislation provides that every person has the following 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
Regulations made under the legislation provide parents, guardians and next-of-kin with these personal information rights.
These rights mean that you can seek access to personal information held by the Board, no matter when the information was created, and to other records created by the Board after 21 April, 1998. The Board became a prescribed body in accordance with the FOI Act on 1 June 2002.
More information on how to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act.
Routinely available information
The Board makes available to the public, as a matter of routine, information in relation to its functions and activities. Such information is available informally to you without the need to use the FOI Act and is made available generally on this website.
The FOI Act is designed to allow public access to information held by public bodies that is not routinely available through other sources. Access to information under the Act is subject to certain exemptions and involves specific procedures and time limits.
Review and appeal
The FOI Act provides for internal reviews of decisions made under the Act as well as appeals to the Office of the Information Commissioner. Further information on reviews and appeals.
Fees
Fees are payable in respect of certain information requests, typically those of a non-personal nature. Further information on fees.
FOI publications
Each public body is required to publish certain information under section 15 and 16 of the FOI Act. These manuals can be accessed via the following links:
These files are available in Portable Document Format (PDF) only. Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® software is required to view it. A free copy of Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® can be downloaded from the Adobe® website www.adobe.com.
Section 15 manual PDF Format
Section 16 manual PDF Format
Useful FOI Links
Please note that accessing these links will bring you to external websites. Use the back button on your browser to return to the Legal Aid Board website.
Freedom of Information Act, 1997
Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act, 2003
Freedom of Information Central Policy Unit
Office of the Information Commissioner
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