Freedom of Information

Section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 requires FOI bodies to prepare and publish as much information as possible in an open and accessible manner on a routine basis outside of FOI, having regard to the principles of openness, transparency and accountability as set out in sections 8(5) and 11(3) of the Act. This allows for the publication or giving of records outside of FOI provided that such publication or giving of access is not prohibited by law. The scheme commits FOI bodies to make information available as part of their normal business activities in accordance with this scheme.

Please find Credit Review’s FOI Publication Scheme below. Each link in the document leads to a page comprising relevant information in the category as well as links to relevant information on Credit Review’s website. If the information you require cannot be found here, you may wish to conduct a search on Credit Review’s website or to contact Credit Review’s FOI Office at 0818 211 789.

If the information is not currently made publicly available by Credit Review, you may consider making a Freedom of Information Request.

The FOI Act 2014 provides that every person has the following legal rights.

  • the right to access official records held by Government Departments and all public bodies that conform to the provisions of Section 6 of the Act
  • the right to have personal information held on them corrected or updated where such information is incomplete
  • the right to be given reasons for decisions taken by public bodies that affect them

These rights mean that from a people can seek access to personal information held on them no matter when the information was created, and to other records created after the effective date.

Publications

Section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 requires FOI bodies to prepare and publish as much information as possible in an open and accessible manner on a routine basis outside of FOI, having regard to the principles of openness, transparency and accountability as set out in Sections 8(5) and 11(3) of the Act. This allows for the publication or giving of records outside of FOI provided that such publication or giving of access is not prohibited by law. The scheme commits FOI bodies to make information available as part of their normal business activities in accordance with this scheme. For more information, go to Publications Scheme.

Freedom of Information (FOI) Questions Answered here:

What is FOI?

The FOI Act 2014 provides that every person has the following legal rights.

  • the right to access official records held by Government Departments and all public bodies that conform to the provisions of Section 6 of the Act
  • the right to have personal information held on them corrected or updated where such information is incomplete
  • the right to be given reasons for decisions taken by public bodies that affect them

These rights mean that from a people can seek access to personal information held on them no matter when the information was created, and to other records created after the effective date.

How does FOI work?

The Act requires public bodies to respond to requests from the public for information they hold. In most cases, public bodies must give their decision on a request within 4 weeks of receiving it.

How can I make a FOI Request to Credit Review?

You should send a request either, in writing or by email to:

FOI Request, Credit Review Office, The Plaza, East Point Business Park, Dublin 3

Email: info@creditreview.ie with FOI Request in the Subject Line

Your request should include the following:

  • A statement that the request is being made under the FOI Act
  • As much information as possible about the records being sought
  • In what format you wish to receive any records released (e.g. photocopies)

Can I get access to any information that I seek?

The following records come within the scope of the FOI Acts:

  • All records relating to personal information held by Credit Review

However, in order to allow Credit Review business to be properly conducted, it will sometimes be necessary to exempt from release certain types of information in some circumstances. These are set out in the Act. Among the key exemption are records relating to:

  • Government meetings
  • Law enforcement and security
  • Confidential and commercially sensitive information
  • Personal information (other than information relation to the person making the request)

Requests may also be refused if they are deemed to voluminous or unclear by Credit Review is obliged to assist the requested in trying to overcome this.

Is there a charge for getting information under the FOI Acts?

There is no charge for submitting a request.

How soon can a person making a request for records expect a reply?

Under the Act a request from records must be acknowledged within 2 weeks and, in most cases, responded to within 4 weeks. A week is defined in the Act to mean 5 consecutive week-days, excluding Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. If a third party is involved there may be another three weeks before a response issues.

What if I am not satisfied with the decision on my FOI request?

You may appeal any decision issued by Credit Review by writing to: FOI Request, Credit Review Office, The Plaza, EastPoint Business Park, Dublin 3. seeking an Internal Review of the matter.

You should make you appeal within 4 weeks from the date of response (although late appeals may be permitted in certain circumstances). The appeal will involve a complete reconsideration of the matter by a more senior member of staff of Credit Review and a decision will be communicated to you within 3 weeks.

What if I am not satisfied with the decision on internal review?

You may appeal the decision within 6 months by writing to the Office of the Information Commissioner. If you make an appeal the Information Commissioner will fully investigate and consider the matter and issue a fresh decision. All appeals should be addressed to.

The Information Commissioner, 18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2

Tel: +353 1 639 5689
Local:  1890 22 30 30
Fax: +353 1 639 5674
E-mail: info@oic.ie

Can I get help in making a request?

Yes, if you require any help, the staff in the FOI Unit will be happy to assist you in the formulation of your request.

Do I need to make a FOI request to get information from Credit Review?

No. Credit Review routinely makes information available to the public through information leaflets, publication and in response to enquiries. This will continue. FOI provided an additional source of information by facilitating access to records not made routinely available.

Where can I get more information on FOI?

Further information on FOI is available from:

Tracy Pryce

FOI Request, Credit Review, The Plaza, East Point Business Park, Dublin 3

Info@creditreivew.ie

The Freedom of Information Office

The Information Commissioner, 18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2

Tel:  +353 1 639 5689
Local: 1890 253 238
Fax: +353 1 639 5674
E-mail: info@oic.gov.ie

More comprehensive information on Freedom of Information, including the text of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 is available at www.foi.gov.ie

Freedom of Information Publication Scheme

Credit Review is required under the Freedom of Information Act 2014 to publish a publication scheme. The scheme provides information about Credit Review, you can navigate through this scheme using the links below.

Information about the FOI Body

Legislation establishing Credit Review can be obtained here.

Statement of Strategy can be viewed here.

Functions and Services Provided

Credit Review’s role is to provide an independent, impartial opinion on a credit decision. Our opinion will be based on the viability of your business/farm and its ability to generate sufficient cash to repay the debt.

Our process is treated with the strictest confidence and will be carried out by one of our expert professionals with front-line SME and farming enterprise finance experience. Our keen commercial awareness means we understand the challenges and opportunities for Irish Enterprise. We are here to support your business success. Although many of us have former banking experience, we are independent of the bank sector. We work closely with participating banks to achieve successful outcomes for the business owners we represent

Client Charter can be viewed here.

Decision Making Process for Major Policy Proposals

The functions of Credit Review are prescribed in legislation. Credit Review performs executive functions and does not engage in policy formation.

Financial Information

  1. Prompt payments

Procurement

Procurement Policy

Type of Purchase – Value of Purchase – Approved by – Quotation/Tender Procedure

  1. If the value of the Goods/Service (incl. Consultancy) is Less than €10,000, it is approved by the Deputy Credit Reviewer. The Quotation/Tender procedure is a Low Value Procedure  (1 written Quotation Required).
  2. If the value of the Goods/Service (incl. Consultancy) is Between €10,000 & €49,999, it is approved by the Credit Reviewer. The Quotation/Tender procedure is a Medium Value Procedure (Min of 3 Quotations Required).
  3. If the value of the Goods/Service (incl. Consultancy) is Between €50,000 & EU Threshold (€214,999 for Goods & Services), it is approved by the Department of Finance. The Quotation/Tender procedure is a High Value Procedure (Formal Tendering – National Procurement Guidelines.).
  4. If the value of the Goods/Service (incl. Consultancy) is Greater than EU Threshold (€215,000 for Goods and Services), it is approved by the Department of Finance. The Quotation/Tender procedure is a EU Procedures – Open, Restricted or Negotiated (EU Procurement Directives apply).

Authorisation levels apply to all purchases. Authorisation should be sought as soon as the relevant cost and other necessary information is available. The maximum value of the purchase should be carefully estimated including the cumulative spend, to ensure the appropriate authorisation is sought.

Individuals involved in purchasing must be aware of the timeframes involved with particular procurement processes. High value procurement requiring National and EU advertising have set time frames which cannot be reduced, hence early planning is critical.

  • Value Less than €10,000

Individual purchase with a value of less than €10,000, ex VAT may be approved by the Deputy Credit Reviewer where an existing contract is not already in place to meet this requirement. One written or verbal quotation is required. It is recommended that the Deputy Credit Reviewer contact at least two suppliers to ensure best value is obtained. Purchase orders must be completed and processed through Accounts Payable.

  • Between €10,000 and €49,999

Individual purchase and/or cumulative purchases between €10,000 and €49,999, ex VAT may be recommended by the Deputy Credit Reviewer and approved by Credit Reviewer where an existing contract is not already in place to meet this requirement. A minimum of three written quotations is sought.

  • Between €50,000 – EU Threshold (€215,000 Goods/Services)

Individual purchase and/or cumulative purchases between €50,000 and the EU Threshold of €215,000, ex VAT will require tendering per National Procurement Guidelines, where an existing contract is not already in place to meet this requirement.

The purchase must be approved by the Department of Finance where the value of purchase is estimated to exceed €50,000, ex VAT.

Tendering

Where tendering is required, Credit Review will seek advice from EI Procurement Department and will follow EI best practice guidelines and recommendations.

  1. Current tender competitions on the eTenders website

Details of current and previous tender competitions can be accessed here by using Advance Category Search and selecting Credit Review from the Authority dropdown.