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Freedom of Information requests for the department
From Department of Social Protection
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The Freedom of Information Act states that, from 21 April 1998, every person has these 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.
- the right to be given reasons for decisions taken by public bodies that affect them.
People can seek access to personal information held on them no matter when the information was created.
They can also seek access to other records created after 21 April 1998.
Access to information under the Act is subject to certain exemptions and involves specific procedures and time limits.
Applications should be in writing and should state that the records are being applied for under the FOI Act.
The application should say if the information is desired in a certain form, for example photocopy.
Please give as much detail as possible to enable staff of the department to identify the records sought.
If it is difficult to identify precise records that you require, the staff of the department will be happy to help you prepare your request.
Information relating to an identifiable individual, only known to the individual or family.
Concerning work of a public body, for example statistics, reports, policy, briefs.
Elements of both personal and non-personal category combined.
Staff have been appointed in each business area of the department to decide FOI requests.
You should address requests for specific claim records to the FOI officer in the scheme which dealt with your claim. They will be in the Local Office or Headquarter Office where your claim was processed. See the addresses below.
If you are unsure where to submit your request, it can be submitted to the FOI Unit (address below) who will redirect it. You may also contact the FOI Unit by telephone or email for further details.
The department does not recommend sending personal or confidential information by email.
The department cannot guarantee personal and sensitive data is fully secure. If you choose to use email you accept any risk involved.
If you have concerns for the safety of your personal and confidential information then consider sending the information by mail or registered mail.
When you make a request for personal information you may be asked to provide identification such as a public service card so information is only given to those entitled to it.
Application Form: Access to Records (FOI1)
If you wish to access records regarding a specific claim or payment, you should specify this in your request. If it isn’t possible to identify the records requested after a reasonable search has been made, your request may be refused and you will be notified of this.
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Requests for access to non-personal/mixed records should be forwarded to:
Freedom of Information Unit
Address:
Social Welfare Services Office, Shannon Lodge
, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim
Email:
Phone number:
Note: If you require general information on any of the Benefit or Allowance Schemes you should contact the Scheme Area
Complex or voluminous FOI requests attract fees.
Please ensure your request is specific, and if possible targeted to one business area. This will reduce fees for search, retrieval and photocopying of records.
An upfront fee no longer applies to Non-Personal or Mixed Requests since 14 October 2014.
From 14 October 2014 fees may be charged for the time spent locating and copying records, based on a standard hourly rate of €20.00 for search and retrieval, and €0.04 for copying per page. The first 5 hours (€100) of search and retrieval is free. Once the charge exceeds €100, fees apply.
There is a cap on the search, retrieval and copying fees of €500 (25 hours approx). That means an FOI request that costs €650 is charged at €500.
There is a further upper limit on estimated search and retrieval and copying fees at €700 (35 hours). Above this an FOI body can refuse to process the request, unless you are prepared to refine it to bring the fees below the limit.
You must pay a deposit where the total fee is likely to be more than €100. If this is the case, the department will notify you.
The act sets out exemptions to protect sensitive information if its disclosure may damage key interests of the State or of third parties.
If the department uses these exemptions to withhold information, the decision may be appealed.
Decisions in relation to the deferral of access, charges, forms of access, and so on may also be the subject of appeal.
If you are dissatisfied with the initial decision, you may seek an internal review which will be carried out by an official at a higher level in the department. You may also seek an internal review if you have not received a reply within 4 weeks of your initial application.
A request for internal review must be submitted within 4 weeks of the initial decision (or the date the decision was due in the case of non-reply). The department must complete the review within 3 weeks.
There is no upfront fee for a request for a review in relation to personal records. However, a fee of €30 must accompany most applications for internal review of a decision in relation to non-personal records. A reduced fee of €10 applies if you are covered by a medical card. There is no fee payable for cases where a review is sought due to the non-reply of the initial request.
Following completion of internal review, you may seek independent review of the decision by the Information Commissioner. Also, if you have not received a reply to your application for internal review within 3 weeks, this is deemed a refusal and you may appeal the matter to the Commissioner. The Commissioner's decision is final and can only be appealed to the High Court on a point of law.
Appeals to the Information Commissioner should be made in writing to the following address:
Office of the Information Commissioner
Address:
6 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 W773.
Website:
Email:
Phone number:
There is no upfront fee for a request for an appeal in relation to personal records. However, a fee of €50 must accompany most applications for review by the Information Commissioner in relation to non-personal records. A reduced fee of €15 applies if you are covered by a medical card. There is no fee payable for cases where an appeal is being sought due to the non-reply of the internal review request.
The Department of Social Protection has always made information routinely available to the public in relation to its functions, activities and schemes.
The department is committed to ensuring that staff making decisions, do so with full knowledge of the relevant legislation and regulations and that the basis for those decisions is clearly explained to customers. Such information is available informally without the need to use the FOI Act.
The FOI Act is designed to allow public access to information held by public bodies which is NOT routinely available through other sources.
The department undertakes to treat as confidential any information provided to it by individuals or others on a confidential basis, subject to the department's obligations under law, including the Freedom of Information Act. Any persons supplying information to the department that they wish to have treated as confidential should state this when providing the information and state the reasons for its sensitivity. The department will consult with any individual or body so supplying sensitive information before making a decision on any Freedom of Information request received.
FOI Officer: Ballinalee Road, Longford
Address:
Management Support Unit, Ballinalee Road, Longford
Website:
Schemes:
- Bereavement Grants
- Carer’s Allowance/Carer’s Benefit
- Disability Allowance
- Disablement Benefit
- Working Family Payment (formerly Family Income Supplement)
- Invalidity Pension
FOI Officer: Letterkenny, Co Donegal
Address:
Department of Social Protection, Oliver Plunkett Road, Letterkenny, Co Donegal
Website:
Schemes:
- Child Benefit
- Treatment Benefit
FOI Officer: Buncrana, Co Donegal
Address:
Department of Social Protection, Inner Relief Road, Ardarvan, Buncrana, Co Donegal
Website:
Schemes:
- Records (PRSI Contributions)
- Maternity Benefit
- Adoptive Benefit
- Health and Safety Benefit
- Paternity Benefit
FOI Officer: College Road, Sligo
Address:
Department of Social Protection, College Road, Sligo
Website:
Schemes:
- Domiciliary Care Allowance Household Benefits
- Information Unit
- Guardians Payment (Contributory and Non-Contributory)
- State Pension (Contributory, Non-Contributory and Transition)
- Blind Pension
- Widow’s (Contributory and Non-Contributory)
- One-Parent Family Payment (if payment made at this office)
FOI Officer: Goldsmith House, Dublin 2
Address:
Community Employment, Department of Social Protection, Goldsmith House, 7-13 Pearse Street, Dublin 2
Website:
Schemes:
- Community Employment
FOI Officer: Áras Mhic Dhiarmada, Dublin 1
Address:
Department of Social Protection, Áras Mhic Dhiarmada, Store Street, Dublin 1
Website:
Schemes:
- Illness Benefit
- Injury Benefit (OIB)
FOI Officer: Nurse Elizabeth O'Farrell House, Dublin 1
Address:
Department of Social Protection, Nurse Elizabeth O'Farrell House, 19-28 North Cumberland Street, Dublin 1
Website:
Schemes:
- Medical Review and Assessment - Medical Records Only
FOI Officer: Gandon House, Dublin 1
Address:
Department of Social Protection, Gandon House, Amiens Street, Dublin 1
Website:
Schemes:
- PRSI Refunds – PRSI paid in error to Employers and Employees
- Scope – decisions on insurability of employment
- Redundancy and Insolvency
- Carers Support Grant (formerly Respite Care Grant)
FOI Officer: King’s Inns, Dublin 1
Address:
Department of Social Protection, 20 King’s Inns Street, Dublin 1
Website:
Schemes:
- The Asylum Seekers/New Communities and Homeless Persons Unit, Dublin
FOI Officer: Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim
Address:
Department of Social Protection, Shannon Lodge, Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim
Website:
Schemes:
- PPS Numbers (Client Identity Services)
- Gateway, Rural Social Scheme (RSS)
- TÚS
FOI Officer: Mid-West Division
Address:
Department of Social Protection, Henry Street, Limerick
Website:
Intreo Centres:
- Ennis
- Kenmare
- Killarney
- Limerick
- Listowel
- Newcastlewest
- Thurles
- Tralee
Branch Offices:
- Dingle
- Ennistymon
- Killorglin
- Kilmallock
- Kilrush
- Nenagh
- Newmarket
- Roscrea
- Tulla
FOI Officer: Midlands Division
Address:
Department of Social Protection, Ballinalee Road, Longford
Website:
Intreo Offices:
- Athlone
- Edenderry
- Longford
- Mullingar
- Tullamore Control Office
Branch Offices:
- Birr
- Castlepollard
- Portarlington
- Portlaoise
- Rathdowney
FOI Officer: North East Division
Address:
Department of Social Protection, Government Buildings, St Alphonsus Road, Dundalk, Co Louth
Website:
Intreo Offices:
- Cavan
- Drogheda
- Dundalk
- Navan
Branch Offices:
- Ardee
- Ballyconnell
- Belturbet
- Carrickmacross
- Castleblayney
- Clones
- Kells
- Monaghan
- Trim
FOI Officer: North West Division
Address:
Department of Social Protection, Cranmore, Sligo
Website:
Intreo Offices:
- Buncrana
- Carrick-on-Shannon
- Donegal Control Office
- Dunfanaghy
- Dungloe
- Letterkenny
- Manorhamilton
- Sligo
Branch Offices:
- Ballybofey
- Ballyshannon
- Donegal Branch Office
- Killybegs
FOI Officer: West Division
Address:
Intreo Centre, Department of Social Protection, Sean Duggan Centre, Fairgreen Road, Galway
Website:
Intreo Offices:
- Achill
- Ballina
- Belmullet
- Castlebar
- Clifden
- Galway
- Loughrea
- Roscommon Control Office
- Westport
Branch Offices
- Ballinasloe
- Ballinrobe
- Boyle
- Castlerea
- Claremorris
- Gort
- Roscommon Branch Office
- Swinford
- Tuam
FOI Officer: Cork Division
Address:
Department of Social Protection, Floor 4, Abbeycourt House, George’s Quay, Cork
Website:
Intreo Offices:
- Bantry Control Office
- Cahirciveen
- Carraigaline
- Cobh
- Cork
- Mallow Control Office
Branch Offices:
- Bandon
- Bantry Branch Office
- Clonakility
- Fermoy
- Kinsale
- Macroom
- Mallow Branch Office
- Midleton
- Skibbereen
- Youghal
FOI Officer: South East Division
Address:
Department of Social Protection, Cork Road, Waterford
Website:
Intreo Offices:
- Carlow
- Clonmel
- Kilkenny
- Waterford
- Wexford
Branch Offices:
- Cahir
- Carrick-on-Suir
- Cashel
- Dungarvan
- Enniscorthy
- Gorey
- Muine Bheag
- New Ross
- Thomastown
- Tipperary
- Tullow
FOI Officer: Dublin Mid-Leinster Division
Address:
FOI Officer, Department of Social Protection, DMT Section, Finglas Intreo Centre, Mellowes Road, Dublin 11
Website:
Intreo Offices:
- Apollo House - now Intreo Office, Cork Street
- Arklow
- Balbriggn
- Ballyfermot
- Ballymun
- Bishop's Square
- Blanchardstown
- Bray
- Clondalkin
- Coolock
- Dun Laoghaire
- Finglas
- Kilbarrack
- Navan Road
- Newbridge
- Nutgrove
- Parnell/King's Inns Street (previously North Cumberland Street)
- Swords
- Tallaght
- Thomas Street - now Intreo Office, Cork Street
Branch Offices:
- Athy
- Baltinglass
- Maynooth
- Wicklow
