The government is set to begin publishing detailed quarterly statistics on Freedom of Information activity, aiming to strengthen transparency across the public sector.
The Office of Cyber Security and Information Assurance will compile anonymised data, which will appear on the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) website as a rolling 12 month overview of FoI requests handled by government departments, boards and offices.
The initiative is intended to give the public clearer insight into how FoI rights are being used and how well public bodies are meeting their legal obligations.
To support this, the ICO will also run a training session for public‑sector staff on effective FoI handling.
Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Jane Poole‑Wilson MHK said the move reflects a shared commitment to openness and accountability.
Information Commissioner Alexandra Delaney‑Bhattacharya added that transparency is essential when public decisions affect the community.
