The Freedom of Information Act 2014 gives you the right to access records held by Government Departments, Offices and certain public bodies. To access records held by the National Statistics Board (NSB), an application must be made in writing using the Freedom of Information Application Form (DOC 48KB) and sent to:
Freedom of Information OfficerNational Statistics Boardc/o Central Statistics OfficeSkehard RoadCorkIrelandT12 X00E
Applications by email are also accepted to nsb@cso.ie
No reason need be given on why you want to see any records. The public body must give you an explanation if you are not given what you ask for. A decision on your application must normally be made within 20 working days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, Public Holidays and Good Friday).
You can ask, subject to the exemptions specified in the Act, for the following records:
A "record" can be a paper document, information held on computer, printouts, maps, plans, microfilm, microfiche, audio-visual material, etc.
In the case of records that are not directly personal to you the following fees must be paid on application
| Type of Request/Application | Standard Fee | Reduced Fee * & ** |
| Request for a record under Section 12 | No charge | No charge |
| Initial Request Internal Appeal | €30 | €10 |
| Appeal to Information Commissioner | €50 | €15 |
| Request under section 12 for personal information | No charge | No charge |
| Application under section 9 for amendment of a record containing incorrect, incomplete or misleading personal information | No charge | No charge |
| Application under section 10 for the reasons for a decision affecting the individual | No charge | No charge |
| Search and Retrieval (once the €101 free allowance has been exceeded) | €20 per hour | - |
| Photocopies | €0.04 per sheet | - |
* Fees will not apply where a person appeals a decision to charge a fee or deposit, or a fee or deposit of a particular amount under section 27 of the FOI Act.
** Reduced fee will apply in respect of third parties who appeal a decision of a public body to release their information on public interest grounds. Reduced fee will apply in respect of medical card holders and their dependents.
Charges may also be applied for the time spent finding records and for any reproduction costs incurred by the Office in providing you with the material requested. Details are available on request.
If you are not satisfied with the decision on an FOI request you may ask the NSB for an "internal review". This will be carried out by the Director General of the CSO (who is an ex officio member of the Board). You will be told the outcome within 15 working days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, Public Holidays and Good Friday). If dissatisfied with this, you may ask for a review by:
The Information Commissioner, 18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2
For further information or assistance contact:
Brian CahillNSB Secretaryc\o Central Statistics OfficeSkehard RoadCorkIrelandT12 X00ETel: + 353-21-453-5173
Email: nsb@cso.ie
Website: www.nsb.ie
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