CENTRAL DENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

PUBLICATION SCHEME

1. Introduction

This publication scheme is a complete guide to the information routinely published by the Central Dental Advisory Committee (CDAC). Its aim is to facilitate greater public access to information by CDAC.

2. About CDAC

The Central Dental Advisory Committee is a statutory advisory Committee established under Article 24 (1) of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972, its function is to provide dental advice to the Department on matters concerning dentistry in Northern Ireland.

3. Freedom of Information Act 2000

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (`the Act') received Royal Assent on 30 November 2000. It gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities, sets out exemptions from that right and places a number of obligations on public authorities. A `public authority' is defined in the Act, and includes but is not restricted to central and local government, non-departmental public bodies, the police, the health service and schools, colleges and universities. The general right of access to the information held by a public authority is provided under section 1 of the Act. Any person wishing to exercise this right, which will not come into force until 1 January 2005, will have to make a written request to the public authority. Any person who makes such a request must be informed whether the public authority holds that information, subject to exemptions, supplied with that information.

Under the Act every public authority is required to adopt and maintain a publication scheme. A publication scheme is a guide detailing types of information which are made routinely available.

The publication scheme must set out the classes of information contained within the scheme, the manner in which the information is intended to be published and whether or not a charge will be made for the information is easily and routinely available. Schemes are intended to encourage organisations to publish more information proactively and to develop a greater culture of openness.

4. CDAC's Publication Scheme

CDAC's approach in publishing this publication scheme is to be as open as possible and to cover all aspects of CDAC's work. The aim is to publish as much information as possible, taking into account possible exemptions. The effectiveness of the scheme will be reviewed at regular intervals.

5. How much do the publications cost?

The publications are free unless otherwise stated. We reserve the right to make a charge to cover the administration costs of providing a large number of documents.

6. The information is available in hard copy or by e-mail as appropriate. If you wish to request information you should write to the CDAC Secretary at the address in paragraph 7 below. You should give your full name and address (including postcode), details of the information you are requesting and the way in which you would prefer the information to be sent ie hard copy or e-mail as appropriate.

7. Responsibility for this Publication Scheme

Mr G Collins , Grade 7 Health Improvement Branch has responsibility for the scheme of behalf of CDAC. His contact details are;

Mr G Collins

Room D 4 11

Castle Buildings

Stormont

Belfast

BT4 3SQ

Telephone number 028 90522216

Fax No 028 90520535

E-mail: [email address]

8. Information to be published

The information to be published in the publication scheme has been grouped into two classes. Classes have been set out to help you find the information you are looking for. The two classes are:

Class One: Organisational Structure

This includes information and details of the CDAC secretariat, details of CDAC membership and the Role and Remit of the Committee. The information is available by post or e-mail as appropriate.

Class Two: Meetings

This includes dates of meetings and minutes of meetings and the information is available by post or e-mail as appropriate.

9. Feedback and complaints

Feedback and comments on this publication scheme are welcomed and should be addressed to Mr Gerard Collins at the address given at paragraph 7.

If you have a complaint about this publication scheme you should write or send an e-mail, in the first instance to the CDAC Chairman, at the address given at paragraph 7. The Chairman will investigate your complaint and provide you with a reply, normally within 20 days of the receipt of the complaint.

If you are not satisfied with the reply from the CDAC Chairman you should then contact the Departmental Information Manager. He/she will investigate your complaint further and provide you with a reply, normally within 20 working days of the receipt of your complaint to the Departmental Information Manager. The Departmental Information Manager's address is:

The Departmental Information Manager

Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Annexe 4

Castle Buildings

Stormont

Upper Newtownards Road

Belfast BT4 3SJ

If the matter is not resolved to your satisfaction after the reply from the Departmental Information Manager, you may refer your complaint on to the Information Commissioner who is independent of the Department. The Information Commissioner's address is:

Information Commissioner

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire SK9 5AF

More information about the Freedom of Information Act can be obtained from the Information Commissioner's website address at:

www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk