Publication Scheme, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000 requires all public bodies to have a Publication Scheme. The Publication Scheme details information which the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development makes routinely available or intends to publish and relates to our Department functions.
Whilst we plan to put most of the information in the Publication Scheme on our website, and make it available free of charge (although the user will have to meet any charges by their Internet service provider, personal printing costs and so on) there may be some publications that you will need to pay for.
The Information Commissioner, who is responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000, has drawn up a Model Publication Scheme which all public sector organisations must comply with. This publication scheme commits the Department to make information available to the public as part of its normal business activities. The information covered is included in the 7 classes of information mentioned below, where this information is held by the Department.
Classes of information
Who we are and what we do
Organisational information, locations and contacts, constitutional and legal governance.
What we spend and how we spend it
Financial information relating to projected and actual income and expenditure, tendering, procurement and contracts.
What our priorities are and how we are doing
Strategy and performance information, plans, assessments, inspections and reviews.
How we make decisions
Policy proposals and decisions. Decision making processes, internal criteria and procedures, consultations.
Our policies and procedures
Current written protocols for delivering our functions and responsibilities.
Lists and registers
Information held in registers required by law and other lists and registers relating to the functions of the authority.
The services we offer
Advice and guidance, booklets and leaflets, transactions and media releases. A description of the services offered.
The classes of information will not generally include:
- Information the disclosure of which is prevented by law, or exempt under the Freedom of Information Act and Environmental Information Regulations, or is otherwise properly considered to be protected from disclosure.
- Information in draft form.
- Information that is no longer readily available as it is contained in files that have been placed in archive storage, or is difficult to access for similar reasons.
Our publication scheme makes it easier for you to have access to an extensive range of information collected, held and used by the Department. You can access information through our website by using the following methods.
However, there may be other issues about which you would like further information or you may be unable to find the information you want. In this case please contact:
Information Management Branch
Room 507
Dundonald House
Upper Newtownards Road
Belfast
BT4 3SB
Tel: 02890 524223
Email: Information Manager
Obligations under disability and discrimination legislation and any other legislation to provide information in other forms and formats will be adhered to when providing information in accordance with this scheme
For more information on Freedom of Information please contact
Copyright
The supply of information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) does not give the recipient or organisation that receives it the automatic right to re-use it in any way that would infringe copyright. This includes, for example, making multiple copies, publishing and issuing copies to the public. Permission to re-use the information must be obtained in advance from the Controller of HMSO who has responsibility for the licensing of Crown copyright material. For further details on how to apply for a licence please see:
