Travel expenses

Summary

A request was made for travel statistics and costs for off-island flights and sailings in 2016/17, along with contract rates for airlines. The Department of Health and Social Care disclosed the total numbers and costs for flights and sailings but withheld specific contract rates due to commercial confidentiality.

Key Facts

• Total off-island air flights in 2016/17 were 18,180 with a cost of £3.1M.
• Total off-island boat journeys in 2016/17 were 778 with a cost of £61,500.
• The Department has an agreement with Flybe for specific prices and flexible terms.
• Actual contract rates with Flybe were withheld as they are commercially confidential.
• The response was issued on 16 December 2017 regarding a request dated 05 November 2017.

Data Disclosed

• 18,180
• £3.1M
• 778
• £61,500
• 2016/17
• 05 November 2017
• 16 December 2017
• IM109-275i

Exemptions Cited

• Commercially confidential

Original Request

What was the cost/number of all travel off island air flights including medical and emergency medical flights for 2016/17 What was the cost/number of all travel off island sailings including medical and emergency sailings for 2016/17 What is the contract rate the Dept has with fly be and easy jet or other(s)

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Department of Health and Social Care

Rheynn Slaynt as Kiarail y Theay

Page 1 of 2 FOIA/DHSC/rvsd/01

Chief Executive: Malcolm Couch By email:

Freedom of Information Team Department of Health & Social Care Chief Executive’s Office Crookall House Demesne Road Douglas Isle of Man, IM1 3QA Tel: Email: Website: Date: FOI Reference: (01624) 642621 foi.dhsc@gov.im www.gov.im/dhsc 16 December 2017 IM109-275i Dear REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2015 (“the Act”) Thank you for your request to the Department of Health and Social Care, dated 05 November 2017

Your request You asked for: Question 01: “What was the cost/number of all travel off island air flights including medical and emergency medical flights for 2016/17” Question 02: “What was the cost/number of all travel off island sailings including medical and emergency sailings for 2016/17”
Question 03: “What is the contract rate the Dept has with fly be and easy jet or other(s)”

Response to your request We are pleased to be able to provide a response to your request with answers to some of your questions; while our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested. The reasons are shown as part of the corresponding answers below. Question 01: What was the cost/number of all travel off island air flights including medical and emergency medical flights for 2016/17? Total number of flights was 18,180. The total cost for these flights was £3.1M. Question 02: What was the cost/number of all travel off island sailings including medical and emergency sailings for 2016/17? The total number of boat journeys was 778. The total cost of these was £61,500

Page 2 of 2 FOIA/DHSC/rvsd/01 Question 03: What is the contract rate the Dept has with fly be and easy jet or other(s)? The Department operates an agreement with an approved supplier – Flybe. The contract gives the Department specific prices and flexible terms for ticketing however the actual rates are commercially confidential.

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 the FOI Co-ordinator, Department of Health & Social Care, Chief Executive’s Officer, Crookall House, Demesne Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 3QA. An electronic version and paper version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website www.gov.im/about-the-government/freedom-of-information/how-to- make-a-freedom-of-information-request/ . 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.
   Further information about Freedom of Information requests can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at: www.inforights.im/information-centre/freedom-of-information. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact us. Yours Sincerely

Freedom of Information Team Department of Health and Social Care