Grants issued to Comis Holdings

Summary

A request for details on grants issued to Comis Holdings, including amounts, dates, and repayment terms, was refused by the Department for Enterprise. The authority neither confirmed nor denied holding the information, citing exemptions related to economic interests and public interest.

Key Facts

• The request was made on 2017-11-15 and responded to on 2017-12-13.
• The Department for Enterprise refused the request under section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.
• Releasing the information was deemed likely to prejudice the economic interests of the Island.
• Grants paid under the Department's schemes are not repayable if terms and conditions are met.
• An annual report to Tynwald lists companies receiving assistance and total payment values.

Data Disclosed

• 2017-11-15
• 2017-12-13
• IM110413I
• section 19
• section 30(1)(a)
• 2016-2018
• 2017-GD-0071

Exemptions Cited

• Section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Neither confirm nor deny)
• Section 30(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Investigations and proceedings conducted by public authorities)

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

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Our Ref: IM110413I

Date: 13 December 2017

Dear

REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2015 (“the Act”)

Thank you for your request dated 15 November 2017. Your request Your request is as follows: “Please can I have information with regard to grants issued to Comis Holdings in respect of the amounts granted to them and on what dates the grants were issued and under what repayment terms the grants have been issued.” Response to your request
We endeavour to provide information whenever possible. However, under section 19 of the Act, a public authority may refuse a request where to either confirm or deny whether it holds information would itself be absolutely exempt information or qualified exempt information under the Act. In this instance, if the information you requested did exist or was held by us, an exemption under section 30(1)(a) of the Act would apply to that information. This exemption would apply because we consider that releasing information into the public domain regarding whether a business has received a grant, the dates the grants were issued and the terms and conditions of the grants would be likely to prejudice the economic interests of the Island as businesses might be put off applying for grants from the Department if these details were to be made public. We also consider that to reveal whether the information you have requested exists, or is held by the Department for Enterprise, would be contrary to the public interest.

Department for Enterprise Rheynn Gastid Dellal

Steven Tallach Freedom of Information Co-ordinator 1st Floor St Georges Court Upper Church Street Douglas Isle of Man IM1 1EX

Telephone: (01624) 685375 Website: www.gov.im/ded Email: steven.tallach@gov.im

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For these reasons, we are refusing your request under section 19 of the Act. In addition, it is important to note that grants paid under the Department’s schemes are not repayable, should the company meet the terms and conditions of the grant.

The Department publishes an annual report to Tynwald which lists all of the companies who have received assistance via the Financial Assistance Scheme and Enterprise Development Scheme and the total value of the payments made. The latest edition of this report can be found at http://www.tynwald.org.im/business/opqp/sittings/Tynwald%2020162018/2017-GD- 0071.pdf Your right to request a review If you are unhappy with this response to your Freedom of Information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post to me. An electronic version and paper version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website here: https://www.gov.im/foireview

Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.
If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1 Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act; or 2 Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your rights to review is on the Information Commissioner’s website at: www.inforights.im/ Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about Freedom of Information requests can be found www.gov.im/foi.

Yours sincerely

Steven Tallach Freedom of Information Co-ordinator