Annual Report 2005 - The Office of Public Works

Legal Services Section
In 2005, Legal Services continued to liaise with the State Claims Agency (SCA) in the
reporting of accidents and providing follow up documentation in line with the Protocol
agreed between the two organizations in 2002.
Agreement was reached with the Chief State Solicitor's Office on the provision of the full
range of legal services required by OPW. A panel of solicitors was chosen following a
tender and interview process and a Service Level Agreement on the procedures to be
followed by both parties was agreed and subsequently signed with the Chief State
Solicitors Office. The Service Level Agreement provides for the regular review of the
service provided and a review is scheduled to take place in 2006.
Freedom of Information (FOI) Unit
The efficient and effective handling of FOI requests continued to be a priority during 2005
The total number of requests dealt with during the year amounted to 61 and where
appropriate, requesters were given every assistance with access to records without having
to make a formal FOI application.
The Guide to the Functions, Records, Rules and Practices of the Office, a requirement
under Sections 15 and 16 of the FOI Act which is available on the OPW website, was
updated. The FOI Unit section of the Intranet has been expanded to include a Decision
Maker's Manual and a guide to the more common exemptions used in the course of
making a decision on an FOI request. A template decision letter is also shown.
Continuing its commitment to best practice and compliance with the provisions of the FOI
Act, the FOI Unit is represented at the meetings of the Civil Service Users Network (CSUN)
and the Interdepartmental Working Group (IDWG). These networks provide a forum for
discussion of cases with colleagues from other Civil Service Departments and Offices and
contribute to the overall development of the FOI ethos.
As a result of a Derogation Order signed by the Chairman all staff from the grade of
Executive Officer upwards are authorised to be appointed Decision Makers and all staff of
the grade of Higher Executive Officer and upwards authorised to be appointed Internal
Reviewers. Applications were invited for relevant staff to attend formal training provided
by CMOD. This training will take place early in 2006
The following table sets out a summary of the FOI activity during the year. Requests from
journalists accounted for most of the FOI requests received.
Total Requests received 61
Journalists 22
Business 16
Members of the Oireachtas 5
Staff Members 0
Other 18
70