Freedom of Information

You are entitled to apply for access to information in writing, either in the form of a letter or by standard application form.

You have a right to access the following records held by or under the control of Limerick City and County Council unless such records are exempted under the Act.

  • All records created after commencement of this Act i.e. 21st October, 1998.
  • Such records created before that date as may be required to understand records created after commencement of the Act.
  • Personal records regardless of when created.
  • If you are a staff member, personnel records created from a date three years before commencement of the Act.
  • Access to reasons for decisions made by Limerick City and County Council directly affecting you.
  • Seek correction of personal information relating to you held by Limerick City and County Council where it is incorrect, incomplete, or misleading.


Revised Fees

  • The €15 initial application fee no longer applies.
  • There is a minimum threshold of €100 below which no search, retrieval and copying fees can be charged. If the charge exceeds €100 full fees apply.
  • There is a cap of €500 on the amount of search, retrieval and copying fees that can be charged.
  • There is a further upper limit on estimated search, retrieval and copying fees at €700 above which a Freedom of Information (FOI) body can refuse to process a request, unless the requester is prepared to refine the request to bring the search, retrieval and copying fees below the limit.
  • The fee for internal review under Section 21 is now €30 (€10 for medical cardholders and their dependant). The fee under the previous Acts for internal review was €75, and €25 for a medical card holder.
  • The fee for appeals to the Information Commissioner is now €50 (€15 for medical card holders and their dependants).The fee under the previous Acts for Appeals to the Information Commissioner was €150 and €50 for a medical card holder.


Application process

  • Your request should be in writing and should indicate that the information is sought under the Freedom of Information Act.
  • Please give as much detail as possible to enable us to identify the records to which you require access.
  • Please include a daytime telephone number so that you can be contacted if it is necessary to clarify details of your request. You may be required to prove your identity, especially when requesting personal information.
  • We must issue acknowledgment of your request within two weeks of our receiving it.
  • We must make a decision on your request within four weeks of our receiving it, unless the request relates to such number of records that compliance within the specified time is not reasonably possible. In which case a time extension not exceeding a further four weeks may be allowed. You must be notified of the period of the time extension required and the reasons therefore.


How to Apply for Information

FOI application form is available in the supporting documents below. Applications under the FOI Act should be addressed to:

Freedom of Information Officer
Corporate Services Department
3rd Floor
Limerick City and County Council
Merchants Quay
Limerick

Phone: +353 61 557325
Fax: +353 61 558342
Email: foi@limerick.ie

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm


Internal Review

The Freedom of Information Act sets out appeal mechanisms in the event of a refusal of a request, or in relation to deferral of access, charges, form of access etc. 

You may seek Internal Review of the initial decision, which will be carried out by a senior official of Limerick City and County Council in the following circumstances:

  • You are dissatisfied with the initial response received i.e. refusal of information, form of access, charges etc.
  • You have not received a reply within four weeks of your initial application. This is deemed to be a refusal of your request and allows you to proceed to Internal Review.
  • Limerick City and County Council must complete the review within three weeks. Internal Review must normally be completed before an appeal may be made to the Information Commissioner.

Requests for Internal Review should be submitted, within four weeks of the initial decision, in writing to the following.

Laura Flannery
Senior Executive Officer
Corporate Services
Limerick City and County Council
Merchant's Quay
Limerick

Phone: +353 61 557530
Email: laura.flannery@limerick.ie


History of the Act

The Freedom of Information Act 2014 was signed by the President of Ireland on Tuesday 14th October 2014, and became effective on that day.

The Freedom of Information Act 1997 applies to all Local Authorities since 21st October 1998. It established three new statutory rights:

  • A legal right for each person to access information held by public bodies.
  • A legal right for each person to have official information relating to him/herself amended where it is incomplete, incorrect or misleading.
  • A legal right to obtain reasons for decisions affecting oneself.

Since 11th April 2003, Freedom of Information requests are processed in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom Of Information Acts 1997 and the Freedom Of Information (Amendment) Act 2003.

Download the latest documents