15 August 2008 (date)

Reference: 08/125

Dear Mr Rea

I am writing to you about your request for information dated 22 July 2008. I am pleased to provide some of the information requested. This represents all the information held by the Northern Ireland Office in relation to your request.

1. The peace walls in Belfast were last surveyed between July 2006 and January 2007.

2. Commissioning of the work;

- The survey and specification of recent major repairs to the peace walls were carried out by Central Procurement Directorate, Dept of Finance and Personnel acting on behalf of the NIO.

- Resultant repair work was carried out under a Measured Term Contract which the Department of Finance and Personnel has in place for carrying out maintenance, repairs and small new works. Repairs have been carried out by obtaining quotations from contractors.

3. Cost of repair and maintenance of peace walls in Belfast

We are unable to provide a figure for the amount of money spent on the repair and maintenance of peace walls in Belfast, specifically, as we do not hold this information. However, we can confirm that in the financial year 2007/08, £ 340 468 was spent on the repair and maintenance of the peace walls in Northern Ireland. This figure reflects costs incurred as a result of the Health and Safety survey.

If you are unhappy with the result of your request for information you may request an internal review within two calendar months of the date of this letter. If you request an internal review please do so in writing stating the reasons to the address above.

If following an internal review you were to remain dissatisfied you may make a complaint to the Information Commissioner and ask him to investigate whether the NIO has complied with the terms of the FOIA. You can write to the Information Commissioner at:

The Commissioner will not investigate a complaint unless an internal review procedure has been carried out.

Further details on the role of the Information Commissioner and the handling of appeals can be found at: www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

If you wish to discuss this please contact the Freedom of Information Team using the contact details provided at the top of the first page. Please remember to quote your reference in any correspondence.

Yours sincerely

Freedom of Information Manager

Northern Ireland Office

Freedom of Information Team

Annex A

Dundonald House

Stormont Estate

Belfast

BT4 3SU

Telephone 028 90765841

Email: [NIO request email]

Freedom of Information Team