Information Commissioner's Office

Department for Communities

7 September 2016, Central government

The complainant has requested information relating to the Voluntary Exit Scheme in the Northern Ireland Civil Service. The Department refused the request under section 22 since it said it intended to publish the requested information after the scheme closed. During the course of the Commissioner’s investigation the Department disclosed the requested information to the complainant, but the complainant asked that the Commissioner issue a decision notice. The Commissioner’s decision is that the exemption at section 22 of the FOIA is engaged, but the public interest in maintaining that exemption does not outweigh the public interest in disclosure. However, since the requested information has been disclosed the Commissioner does not require any remedial steps to be taken.

FOI 22: Upheld