Publication Scheme under Freedom of Information Act

Publications Scheme

Longford County Council has prepared and published a Publication Scheme concerning the information of the Council in conformity with a Model and Guidelines made by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform under Section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2014. The Scheme came into effect on 14 April 2016.

 

Purpose of Publications Scheme

The Scheme is designed to facilitate the provision of information to the greatest extent possible, except for information exempted under the Act. In preparing, reviewing or revising a Publication Scheme, Longford County Council shall have regard to the public interest in:

  • allowing public access to information held by Longford County Council
  • the publication of reasons for decisions made by Longford County Council, and
  • publishing information of relevance or interest to the general public in relation to its activities and functions generally. 

Scheme Format

The Scheme is web-based with links from it to information under six information sets as set out below which will be updated as provided for under the Act. A hard copy will be available for viewing by appointment also.

Six Information Sets:

1. Information about Longford County Council

Who we are and what we do. Organisational information, structures, locations and contacts.

In this section, Longford County Council will provide details of:

2. Functions and Services Provided to the Public

The services we offer: Details of functions and services that the organisation provides.

In this section, Longford County Council will provide details of:

  1. Services provided for the public including administration of an enactment/scheme (for example, grant schemes)
  2. How such services can be accessed
  3. How much such services cost to access, if any
  4. Administration of such services
  5. Review or appeal rights relating to such services
  6. Research projects undertaken in respect of these functions/services

Services provided by Longford County Council:

3. Decision Making Procedures

How we make decisions on policies: Decision Making processes and records of decisions.

In this section Longford County Council will provide details of:

1. Major policy proposals including any public consultation exercises:

2. Background information relating to major policy proposals and decisions:

3. Reports on the operation of public services by Longford County Council

4. Expenditure Reviews

5. Policy Assessments

4. Financial Information

What we spend: Financial information relating to income and expenditure

Longford County Council provide the following information in this section:

5. Procurement

Information relating to how we procure goods and services: 

Current and Past Tender Competitions/Contract Notices on the eTenders website:

  • Details of tender competitions (past and present) for contracts valued over €25,000 excl. VAT for Supplies and Services and over €50,000 excl. VAT for work and work related services are available on www.etenders.gov.ie - view Contract Notices published by Longford County Council as follows:
  • Click Notice Search
  • Select Published Tenders from the dropdown menu box
  • Search in – leave blank unless you wish to enter a keyword.
  • Date Filter – specific dates can be entered
  • Tick box before Search within expired RFTs if you wish to see expired Tenders
  • Click the + before Advance Category Search and select Longford County Council from the dropdown menu
  • Press Search

Contract Award Notices on the eTenders website

  • Details of Contract Award notices for contracts valued over €25,000 excl. VAT for tendered competitions are available on www.etenders.gov.ie - view Contract Award Notices published by Longford County Council as follows:
  • Visit www.etenders.gov.ie and click Notice Search.
  • Select Published Awards from the dropdown menu box
  • Search in – leave blank unless you wish to enter a keyword
  • Date Filter – specific dates can be entered
  • Tick box before Search within expired RFTs if you wish to see expired Tenders
  • Click the + before Advance Category Search and select Longford County Council from the dropdown menu
  • Press Search

6. FOI Disclosure Log and Other Information to be Published Routinely

Disclosure Log Longford County Council – for non–personal information only

Other information: Longford County Council publish the type of information listed below as appropriate, in addition to any other information that would provide information to the public:

  • Reports.
  • Commercial publications and relative charges.
  • Information held by the body which is sought regularly.