Freedom of Information Policy
The Education Authority’s Freedom of Information (FOI) Policy outlines our approach to our FOI obligations and our commitment to creating a climate of openness and dialogue with our stakeholders and customers. The FOI Policy sets out EA’s commitment to compliance with the FOI Act 2000 and is relevant to all EA staff and to members of the public.
How to access information held by the Education Authority
The Education Act (Northern Ireland) 2014, which was passed in December 2014, replaced the five existing Education and Library Boards (ELBs) and their Staff Commission with the Education Authority from 1 April 2015. The Education Authority is a Government sponsored Non Departmental Public Body of the Department of Education. The Education Authority has assumed the responsibilities of the existing ELB’s and their Staff Commission.
The Education Authority seeks to be an open and transparent organisation committed to publishing routinely as much information as possible; however if you require information which is not on our website you may request it in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Data Protection Act 2018, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) 2018 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.
The Education Authority continues to update and upload information to the Education Authority website as and when it is available.
Publication Scheme
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has produced a Model Publication Scheme adopted by all public sector organisations from 1 January 2009.
This set a standard framework for making information available to the public and is broken down into seven categories or classes. In addition, sector specific guides called Definition Documents were created to provide examples of the type of information that should be pro-actively published, if held.
The Model Publication Scheme and Definition Document for Non-Departmental Public Bodies can be accessed via the following links:
If you wish to access information created by the now dissolved Education and Library Boards or their Staff Commission, or the information you require is not yet available on the Education Authority’s website, please see our contact details for the five Education Authority Regions and their Staff Commission.
How to Access Information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000
Freedom of Information Requests may be submitted either in writing or by email to infogov@eani.org.uk or to the relevant Education Authority regional office, listed on our Contact Us page. Requests will be responded to within 20 working days.
If you are not satisfied with the way in which we handle your request, you may ask for an internal review. If you wish us to undertake such a review, you should write to the Education Authority or the regional office/s.
Any review will be under the direction of a senior member of staff who had no involvement in the original decision or process.
If you remain dissatisfied at the conclusion of any review you may complain to the Information Commissioner.
How to Access Information under the Data Protection Act 2018
The Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) 2018 allows individuals to find out what information is held about themselves on computer and some paper records. This is known as the right to subject access.
Subject Access Requests may be submitted either in writing or by email to infogov@eani.org.uk or to the relevant Education Authority regional office, listed on our Contact Us page. Requests will be responded to within 28 calendar days.
Please specify the kind of information you wish to be made available to you and enclose proof of identity, such as a copy of your driving licence or passport and a formal document or bill with your name and address.
If you remain dissatisfied, you may complain to the Information Commissioner.
How to Access Information under the Environmental Information Regulations Act 2004
Environmental Information requests may be made verbally or in writing to the generic Education Authority email address or directly to the regional office/s. Please refer to the contact details provided above. The Education Authority has 20 working days to respond to requests. In exceptional circumstances this may be extended to 40 working days.
Environmental Information requests may be made verbally, in writing or by email to infogov@eani.org.uk or to the relevant Education Authority regional office, listed on our Contact Us page. Requests will be responded to within 40 calendar days.
If you are not satisfied with the way in which we handle your request, you may ask for an internal review. If you wish us to undertake such a review you should write to the Education Authority or the regional office/s.
Any review will be under the direction of a senior member of staff who had no involvement in the original decision or process.
If you remain dissatisfied at the conclusion of any review you may complain to the Information Commissioner.
If you wish to find out more about the Freedom of Information Act 2000, Data Protection Act 2018, General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) 2018 or Environmental Information Regulations 2004 please visit the Information Commissioner website.