Introduction

Regulations were signed into law on Monday 22nd October, 2001 by the Minister for Finance providing for the extension of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, to the Institutes of Technology.  The Regulations are effective from 1st October, 2001.  

 The Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2003 as passed by both houses of the Oireachtas was signed into law on Friday, 11th April, 2003.   The Act has effect on and from this date.  

 The Freedom of information (FOI) Acts, 1997 & 2003 establishes three key rights:

·     Right of any member of the public to access to records

·     Right of any member of the public to amend records containing personal information

• Right of interested parties to reasons for decisions

In general, members of the public are entitled to obtain official information from the Institute provided it does not conflict with the public interest and the right of privacy of individuals.

Requests for information must be submitted in writing to the Freedom of Information Office.  Click here for contact details.

 How Can Waterford Institute of Technology help you with FOI?

Waterford Institute of Technology has two publications that should help you in the understanding of the organisational structure of WIT and the types of information we hold. 
These publications are:

·         Section 15 reference document which you can access by clicking here. 
This reference manual is designed to facilitate access to official information held by the Institute, by illustrating its structures, functions, details of services provided and how they may be availed of, information on the types of records held and how to make a request to the Institute under the Freedom of Information Act, 1997. 

·         Section 16 document which you can access by clicking here
This reference manual contains details of the "rules, procedures, practices, guidelines and interpretations used by the Institute and an index of any precedents kept by the body, for the purposes of decisions, determinations or recommendations, under or for the purposes of any enactment or scheme, administered by the body with respect to rights, privileges, benefits, obligations, penalties, or other sanctions to which members of the public are or may be entitled..."