Freedom of Information

The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2014 was introduced to help access official information to records created after 21st October 1998

The act gives you the legal right to:

• access information held by public bodies
• have official information relating to you amended where it is incomplete, incorrect or misleading
• be informed of reasons for decisions that affect them

Making an FOI request

It is preferable that you make a request using the standard Freedom of Information ApplicationFOIApplicationformIrishversion2015Rev.1.0 (1).docx (size 22.6 KB) Form .  Your request should be in writing and should indicate that the information is sought under the Freedom of Information Act.  Applications can be submitted by post or email to the addresses listed below). ‌

The form is also availbale to download in Irish: FOI Application form As Gaeilge

If you have difficulty in identifying the precise records which you require, we will be happy to assist you in preparing your request.

Applications for information under this Act should be addressed to:

Freedom Of Information Officer,

Westmeath County Council,

Áras an Chontae,

Mullingar,

Co.Westmeath.

Email: foi@westmeathcoco.ie

Fee

There is no longer an initial application fee, but the following fees aply in respect of reviews

Internal Review

The Fee for Internal Review under Section 21 is now €30.00 (€10.00 for medical card holders and their dependents).

Independent Review

If, after an internal review, you are still not satisfied with the decision you may seek an independent review, the fee for this is €50.00 (€15.00 for medical card holders and their dependents) for non personal requests, by contacting the Information Commissioner...
By Post:        Office of the Information Commisioner, 18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2, D04 K5F3 Email:           ombudsman@ombudsman.irlgov.ie Telephone:   (01) 678 5222

Re-Use of Public Sector Information

An EU Directive on the re-use of Public Sector Information was transposed into Irish Law recently.  The rationale behind the Directive stems from the fact that the Public Sector holds large amounts of data and this data should be seen as a potentially valuable resource which could be used to create new products, businesses and employment.   The Directive allows certain data (i.e. data not precluded under a Freedom of Information exemption, copyright or personal data) held by the public sector to be used by the public.

Re-use includes copying, issuing copies to the public, publishing, broadcasting and translating into other languages. It also covers non-commercial research and studies.

Westmeath Local Enterprise Office complies with the regulations on the re-use of Public Sector Information and we encourage the re-use of the information we produce.  The regulations are available at www.psi.gov.ie.  Information and documents obtained from this website may be reproduced and /or re-used subject to the latest PSI licence available at www.psi.gov.ie

Certain conditions apply to the re-use of information :

• Acknowledge the source in cases where you supply the information to others.
• Reproduce the information accurately.
• The information is not to be used in a misleading way.
• Information must not be used for the principal purpose of advertising or promoting a particular product or service.
• Not use the information for or in support of illegal, immoral, fraudulent, or dishonest purposes.
• Westmeath Local Enterprise Office is not liable for any loss or liability associated with the re-use of information and does not certify that the information is up-to-date or error free.
• Westmeath Local Enterprise Office does not authorise any user to have exclusive rights to re-use of its information.

If you wish to use such information, you must read carefully the latest version of the "Public Sector Information (PSI) Licence for Re-use of Information".  This is available to download at the PSI website: www.psi.gov.ie

For more information, please contact Westmeath Local Enterprise Office Tel : 044-9332000    Email : localenterprise@westmeathcoco.ie