DfC Publication Scheme and FOI
Under section 19(1) of the Freedom of Information Act every public authority is required to adopt and maintain a publication scheme setting out the classes of information it holds, the manner in which it intends to publish the information and whether or not a charge will be made for the information.
About this publication scheme
The Information Commissioner, who is responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000, has drawn up a Model Publication Scheme and a Definition Document for all public sector organisations. The Department has formally adopted the Information Commissioner’s model publication scheme. The scheme is organised into seven classes of information which are set out below. This structure aims to save you time and effort when searching for information.
You can also use our Publications search which contains all the documents we have made available.
Who we are and what we do
- Roles and responsibilities
- Departmental structure
- Information about legislation relevant to the Department's functions
- Departmental contact details
What we spend and how we spend it
What are our priorities and how are we doing
- Annual reports and accounts
- Departmental management board minutes
- Housing Regulation's Regulatory Judgements/Performance Reports
- Impact assessments
- Customer service
- Statistics and research
How we make decisions
Our policies and procedures
- Equality
- Languages and cultural diversity
- LGBT Policy
- Customer service
- Guidelines, instructions and manuals
- Complaints procedure
- Disposal of records schedule
- Privacy notice
Lists and registers
The services we offer
- Appeals
- Arts and culture
- Benefits and pensions
- Finding employment
- Finding staff
- Historic environment
- Housing
- Local government
- Museums and Libraries
- Public Record Office
- Regeneration
- Social policy
- Statistics and research
- Support for children
- Voluntary and community
If you can’t find a document
The Department is committed to making information readily available, within the scope of the legislation. To assist us to deal with requests for information promptly, it would be helpful if you could direct enquiries to:
The Information Access Manager
Department for Communities
Level 4
Causeway Exchange
Belfast
BT2 7EG
email: foi@communities-ni.gov.uk
Requests for information must be in writing (or email), give your name and a correspondence (or email) address and describe the information requested. Requests for environmental information may also be made verbally. Applications should provide as much detail as possible to identify the information sought.
If the information you want is not routinely published, you can make a request for it under the Freedom of Information Act via the address above.
Alternative formats
If the information is not in a format that meets your needs please contact foi@communities-ni.gov.uk
Additional information
- DfC Freedom of Information Act 2000 - public information leaflet
- Freedom of Information Management Information Statistics
Disclosure log
DfC publishes responses it has issued to requests made under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act and Environmental Information Regulations on its Disclosure Log.