New FOI Training Agreement will save taxpayer €3 million – Harris

Simon Harris T.D., Minister of State with special responsibility for Public Procurement, today (17-Dec-2014) announced a Framework Agreement for training to support implementation of the new Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.  At today’s announcement, Minister Harris said,

This new Agreement will deliver significant savings for the taxpayer.  It will bring greater consistency and quality to FOI training in support of the Government’s extension of FOI to over 500 public bodies.  It is also encouraging to see that Irish SMEs involved in the provision of these services.”

The Agreement is designed to make FOI training available to the 500 plus public bodies now subject to the legislation.  Following a Public tendering process subject to EU Regulations, five firms have secured a place on the Framework: Arcline Limited; Institute of Public Administration; Mason Hayes & Curran; Philip Lee Solicitors; and Public Affairs Ireland.

The new Framework Agreement, put in place by the Office of Government Procurement, is expected to deliver cost reductions of in excess of €3 million over its 4-year span compared to previous arrangements, and by reference to prevailing market rates and anticipated demand.

Use of this Framework by public bodies will ensure compliance with EU and national public procurement obligations with a much reduced administrative overhead.

The Minister concluded by noting that, “this Framework Agreement ticks all of the boxes as far as broader Government strategy is concerned.  It sets a benchmark for public sector spending on training in terms of better value for money and minimising administrative overheads.”

ENDS_______

Media Contact: Richard Troy, 0870641625

OGP Comm.s: Ms Theresa Ryan, 0860269541

 

Note to Editor:

  • The new Freedom of Information Act 2014, enacted 14-October-2014, provides for the commitments in relation to freedom of information contained in the Programme for Government by removing the main substantive restrictions in access to official information introduced in 2003, extending FOI to all public bodies unless specifically exempt in whole or in part and providing a framework for the extension of FOI to non-public bodies in receipt of significant funding from the Exchequer.
  • The legislation also provided an opportunity for a necessary consolidation, modernisation and updating of the legislation.  The Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 are repealed under the new Act.
  • This Framework is for an initial period of one year, renewable annually to a maximum duration of 4 years.
  • The Framework will be overseen at central level by the FOI Central Policy Unit of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with a view to ensuring consistency of course content and quality of training.