asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many applications under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 have been made to the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister in Northern Ireland; how many applications resulted in information; how many applications were refused; and in how many cases a fee was required. [HL671]

From 1 January 2005 to 8 December 2006 (inclusive) OFMDFM has received 180 requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Of the 180 requests received, 170 have been completed. Of these 170 completed cases, all the information was released in 136 cases, in 13 it was partially released, in 11 cases the information was not held by OFMDFM and seven requests were transferred to other public authorities. Only in the remaining three cases was the information refused. A fee was required in none of these cases.