How to Make an FOI Request

How to make an FOI request to DkIT.

An FOI request can be made in two ways:

  • You should make your request in writing to:
    • Freedom of Information Office,
    • Dundalk Institute of Technology,
    • Dublin Road,
    • Dundalk,
    • Co. Louth
    • A91 K584
  • Or by emailing your request to [email protected]

When you make a request, you must:

  • Submit the request in writing;
  • Specify that the request is being made under the FOI Act.;
  • Be clear so that the records requested can be identified.  This can be achieved by specifying which academic school or function of DkIT the records would most likely be located, for example, Human Resources department.  However, if it is unclear what records are being requested, DkIT will assist the requester to put his/her request in such a way that the records being sought can be identified.
  • When you are seeking information which is personal, you will be required to supply the appropriate identification as required by the decision maker;
  • In cases where you are seeking to access records relating to a deceased person under section 37(8), you will be required to provide additional details in order to exercise these rights.

For more information on Freedom of Information and how to make a Freedom of Information request, please visit the Freedom of Information Central Policy Unit website at www.foi.gov.ie

Fees and Charges

The Freedom of Information Act 2014 provides for an FOI fee system. The Ministerial Order establishing the fee system (S.I. 531 of 2014) can be found at this link at this link on gov.ie.

The following fees apply to an application for records under the FOI Act:

Title Description
Search and Retrieval and Copying Fees

Fees are charged in respect of the time spent searching, retrieving and copying the records released to you. Section 27 of the Act sets out the aspects of search and retrieval for which a fee may be charged.

In most cases, there is no fee for search, retrieval or copying where the application relates to the applicant's personal records. However, a fee may be charged under the Act, having regard to the applicant's means, where the application involves a significant number of records.

Review and Appeal Fees 

There is a fee for review and appeal to the Office of the Information Commissioner for access to non-personal records. There are reduced fees for those with a medical card

Below is a summary of the fees for requests for non-personal records:

  • There is a minimum limit of €101 below which no search, retrieval or copying fee can be charged. As the fees are €101, the total is charged;
  • The amount that can be charged in respect of search, retrieval and copying fees is capped at €500;
  • There is a further ceiling of €700 in respect of search, retrieval and copying fees estimated so that, if exceeded, the FOI body can refuse to process an application unless the applicant is willing to conserve the application so that the search, retrieval and copying fees are brought below that limit;
  • €30 (€10 for a person with a medical card and that person's dependants) the new fee for an internal review under Section 21.
  • €50 (€15 in the case of a person with a medical card and that person's dependants) the new fee for an appeal to the Information Commissioner under Section 22.

Response Time

The Act requires FOI bodies to respond to requests from the public regarding information in their possession. In most cases, we will give our decision within 4 weeks of receiving the application.

Right of Appeal

If you are not satisfied with our decision, you can request an "internal review" of the decision. The review is a full and new examination of the matter carried out by a more senior member of staff who will either issue a new decision on the request, or uphold the decision already made in relation to the release of the information. 

You will be notified of the outcome of this review within 3 weeks.

In the event that a decision on the "internal review" is not satisfied, then you can request the Information Commissioner to review the case.

Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) Contact Details:

  • Address:
    • Office of the Information Commissioner,
    • 6 Earlsfort Terrace,
    • Dublin 2,
    • D02 W773
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone number: +353 1 639 5689
  • Information Commissioner website - https://www.oic.ie

Contact DkIT FOI Office