HSE and Sligo University Hospital citicised for failure to answer FOI requests within required four weeks

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

A Sligo councillor has complained about the failure of Sligo University Hospital and the HSE to respond to Freedom of Information requests within the four week period required under legislation.

Speaking at the recent meeting of the Regional Health Forum West/North West, Cllr Declan Bree said, “Under the Freedom of Information Act all public bodies including the HSE and the management of Sligo University Hospital, are required to respond to requests from the public for information they hold, and give their decision on a request within four weeks of receiving it.

“However, according to the reply to my question, the management of Sligo University Hospital and the management of the HSE are unable to tell me how many of the 379 FOI requests which were received by Sligo University Hospital in 2024, have been granted.

“The management of Sligo University Hospital are also unable to tell me how many of the 540 FOI requests received in 2025 have been granted.

“The Management of the hospital is also incapable of providing any indication of what length of time an applicant might have to wait for an FOI request to be granted.

“All I am told is that the waiting time for a decision varies from service to service depending on the number of requests received at any one time and the volume of record included within the scope of each request.

“I am also told that the HSE is unable to compile FOI statistics due to the different legacy recording systems in place within the HSE.

“I do note however that the HSE has gone to tender for an electronic recording system to be implemented later this year, which will allow for the generation of the information I requested.”

Cllr Bree expressed the view that the situation has only deteriorated over time saying, “Two and a half years ago when I complained and expressed concern about the failure of the Hospital Management to process FOI requests in a timely manner and sought a report on the issue, the hospital management was at least able to tell me how many FOI requests had been received in a given period and how many had been granted.

“The hospital was also capable of telling us the maximum time an applicant might have to wait to have an FOI request granted.

“Back then the hospital acknowledged that delays of up to eight months was unacceptable and we were told that a management programme was being implemented to look at processes and IT solutions to address the back log. However, it is now clear that the situation has significantly deteriorated.”

“I note that the HSE West North West, while providing me with details of the number of FOI requests received in 2025 and 2026, is incapable of telling me how many have been granted.”

Outlining his engagements with the Regional Director of the HSE, and subsequent correspondence with the Integrated Healthcare Area Manager for the region in November of last year, Cllr Bree explained he was left with no option but to file a freedom of information request.

“On November 14 last I wrote making representations to the Regional Director of the HSE West and North West, Mr Canavan, bringing an important matter to his attention and seeking clarification on the issue.

“I received a prompt response from Mr Canavan the same day and was advised that the matter was being forwarded to Mr John Fitzgerald, the Integrated Healthcare Area Manager for Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal and West Cavan.

“After waiting for over two months for a response from Mr Fitzgerald, I was left with no option other than to submit a Freedom of Information request on January 23, 3026 seeking information as to the outcome of the representations I had made.

“I received an acknowledgment to my request from the FOI Office in Merlin Park and was advised that I could expect to receive a response by February 20. I was also advised that if a delay incurred I would be advised promptly.

“However, there was a deafening silence from the FOI office until March 13, when my FOI request was eventually granted. And this relates to representations from a member of the Health Forum to the Director of the Health Forum.

Outlining the importance of Freedom of Information requests being processed in a timely manner Cllr Bree said, “The introduction of freedom of information legislation in 1998 was recognised as a milestone in terms of defining the relationship between the public administration and the citizen in Ireland.

“The introduction of the legislation was an attempt to lift the veil of secrecy for the first time and to allow information to be made available to the public.

“Under the legislation people have the right, I repeat, the right, to get records held by public bodies including the HSE West/North West and Sligo University Hospital, and they have a right to have a decision on their request within four weeks.

“However that right is being denied to people because the management of Sligo University Hospital and the HSE West North West is either incapable of, or unwilling to provide a competent and acceptable Freedom of Information service.

“This is unacceptable as far as I am concerned and needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency,” Cllr Bree concluded.

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.