What if I am refused information?
The PHA’s website will provide information
We will tell you what information has been
about the Agency and contact details if you
withheld and why. If you are not satisfied
want to request information. You can phone
with our response, please contact us and tell
and speak to an FOI Officer who will assist you
us why. If we cannot resolve the matter and
with your request, telephone (028) 9536 3487.
The Freedom of Information Act
you remain unhappy, you can ask the
Northern Ireland Information Commissioner
Please remember that a request for copies of
2000
(address below) to decide if your request has
information is required in writing.
been dealt with correctly.
Public Information Leaflet
Where can I get more Information about the
FOI Act?
What is the Freedom of Information Act?
You can get more information about FOI from
the Northern Ireland Information
The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000
Commissioner at –
gives everyone the right to obtain information
from public organisations including hospitals,
3rd Floor
health centres and health agencies. This
14 Cromac Place
Public Health Agency
means that you can access information about
BELFAST
12-22 Linenhall Street
how the Public Health Agency (PHA) works,
BT72 2JB
Belfast
how we spend public money, and
how and
BT2 8BS
why we make decisions.
Tel: (028) 9026 9380
Telephone 0300 555 0114
Fax: (028) 9026 9388
E-mail:
xx@xxx.xxx.xx
July 2018
www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk
You can also request information under –
Post: The FOI Department
What information is available from the
Public Health Agency
Agency?
The Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA),
12-22 Linenhall Street
which gives everyone access rights to their
Belfast BT2 8BS
The FOI Act gives you the right to access
own personal information. The DPA
almost all the information the PHA holds, but
covers both private and public
Email: xxx.xxx@xxxxx.xxx
there is some information which cannot be
Organisations.
made public. Information given in confidence,
information relating to national security or law
The Environmental Information
All requests for copies of information under
enforcement, and personal details about
Regulations 2004 (EIR), which gives
the FOI Act must be made in writing. It will be
others cannot be provided, these are known
everyone the right to environmental
helpful if, when you tell us what information
as ‘exemptions’.
information held by public organisations.
you are requesting, you give us your name,
address and contact telephone number.
You can obtain your own personal information
through the Data Protection Act.
How can I get information about PHA under
the FOI Act?
Is there any cost for getting information?
What happens if the Information is not
Some PHA information is available on our
Information will be provided free of charge up
available?
website
– www.publichealth.hscni.net
to the value of £450, however, if there are
If the information you require is not available
production costs, such as photocopy and laser
The FOI Act does not require us to provide
from our website, you can make a request in
printing, there will be a nominal charge.
information that we do not already gather,
writing, by;
These production costs will apply to all
however, we do have a duty to help you with
requests.
your request. If we do not hold the
information you are requesting but know
where it may be possible to access it, we will
advise you accordingly.