Freedom of Information Publication Scheme

Freedom of Information Publication Scheme

Section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 requires FOI bodies to prepare and publish as much information as possible in an open and accessible manner on a routine basis outside of FOI, having regard to the principles of openness, transparency and accountability as set out in Sections 8(5) and 11(3) of the Act.

Publication Scheme under Freedom of Information Act, 2014

30th November 2020  |   Corporate Affairs and Governance

Introduction:

We have published a Publication Scheme concerning the information of the Council in conformity with a Model and Guidelines made by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform under Section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2014, which commits public bodies to making information available to the general public as part of their normal business activities.

Purpose of Scheme:

The Scheme is designed to facilitate the provision of information to the greatest extent possible, except for information exempted under the Act and, in preparing, reviewing or revising a Publication Scheme, we shall have regard to the public interest in:

(a)       allowing public access to information;

(b)       the publication of reasons for decisions made;

(c)       publishing information of relevance or interest to the general public in relation to our activities and functions generally.

Scheme Format and Access:

The Scheme is web based with links from it to information under six headings as set out below which will be updated as provided for under the Act.  

Six Information Sets:

Information is provided under the following six headings:

A. Information About Meath County Council, 

B. Services Provided by Meath County Council

C. Decision Making Process     

D. Financial Information

E.  Procurement                                

F.  Information Routinely Published and Miscellaneous

 

A.      Information about Meath County Council

Who we are and what we do, organisational information , structures, locations and contacts.

  1. Establishment of organisation
  2. Roles
  3. Responsibilities
  4. Functions
  5. Governance arrangements
  6. Management arrangements 
  7. Corporate Plans and Strategies
  8. Annual Report
  9. Organisation Structure
  10. Pay and Grading
  11. Locations and contact details for the organisation
  12. Links to agencies/other bodies under our remit
  13. Details of Service Level Agreements / Memoranda of Understanding, if any
  14. Customer Charters
  15. Codes of Practice or Guidelines

 

B.      Services Provided or to be provided to the Public

The services we offer: Details of functions and services that the organisation provides and the decision making process

In this section we provide details of:

  1. Services provided for public including administration of an enactment / scheme (e.g. grant schemes) - Services, Sitemap
  2. How such services can be accessed - Services, Sitemap
  3. How much such services cost to access, if any - Services, Sitemap
  4. Administration of such services - Services, Sitemap
  5. Review or appeal rights relating to such services - Freedom of Information, Customer Charter
  6. Research projects undertaken in respect of these functions / services - None at this time

 

C.      Decision Making process for major policy proposals

How we make decisions on policies: Decision Making processes and records of decisions

In this section we provide details of:

    1.    Major policy proposals including any public consultation exercises - Browse consultations on our Online Consultation Website   

    2.    Background information relating to major policy proposals and decisions - Browse consultations on our Online Consultation Website

    3.    Reports on the operation of public services - Plans, Reports and Bye-Laws, Finance and Procurement

     4.   Expenditure reviews - Finance and Procurement

     5.   Policy assessments - None at this time

 

D.      Financial Information

What we spend: Financial information relating to income and expenditure

We provide the following information in this section:

  1. Financial statements -  Finance and Procurement
  2. Major plans for Capital Expenditure -  Finance and Procurement
  3. Payments or Purchase Orders for goods and services -  Finance and Procurement
  4. Governance Board Member remuneration -  Finance and Procurement
  5. Funding / Sponsorship of non-public bodies

 

E.       Procurement

How we spend: Information relating to how we procure goods and services

We provide the following details in this section:

  1. Procurement policies
  2. A link to all current tender competitions on the eTenders website - www.etenders.gov.ie
  3. Public contracts awarded including contract type, contractor, value, award date, duration and brief description (tabular format) over €25k for contracts.

 

F.       FOI Disclosure Log and Other Information to be Published Routinely

Other information: We publish the type of information listed below as appropriate.

  1. FOI Disclosure Log - Freedom of Information Disclosure Logs
  2. Reports - Annual Reports
  3. Commercial publications and relative charges
  4. Information held by the body which is sought regularly - Planning and Building, Library Services, Environment Services

 

Further Information:  

For more information on the Publication Scheme please contact the FOI Office at (046) 9097000 or email customerservice@meathcoco.ie