Costs of 'covid' from 1st Jan 2019 'til today Friday 30th August 2024

Summary

A request was made for the total costs of COVID-19 measures including masks, tests, legal fees, and vaccines from January 2019 to August 2024. The Department of Health and Social Care responded that the information is not held, citing a practical refusal reason and suggesting the requester contact Manx Care or the Cabinet Office instead.

Key Facts

• The Department of Health and Social Care does not hold the requested cost information.
• The request covered costs for masks, lateral flow tests, PCR tests, legal legislation, and vaccines.
• The Department was redesigned on 1 April 2021 following Sir Jonathan Michael's Independent Review.
• The redesign separated policy setting from service delivery, with Manx Care now handling service delivery.
• The requester was advised to submit questions about legal costs to the Cabinet Office and other costs to Manx Care.

Data Disclosed

• 4091074
• 1st Jan 2019
• 30th August 2024
• 2024-08-30
• 2024-09-11
• 4 September 2024
• 1 April 2021
• Section 11(3)a

Exemptions Cited

• Section 11(3)a of the Act (Information not held)

Original Request

Please supply in full without any redactions, the DHSC and Manx government costs of: 1) masks for claimed prevention of 'covid' 2) lateral flow 'tests' ('LFT's') for 'covid' 3) PCR 'tests' for 'covid' 4) legal costs for drawing up 'covid' legislation 5) vaccine costs for 'covid' jabs - not limited to Pfizer or Oxford Astra Zeneca

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Chief Officer: Paul Richardson Freedom of Information Team First Floor Belgravia House Circular Road Douglas IM1 1AE

Our ref: 4091074 4 September 2024

Dear ###

We write further to your request received 30 August 2024, which states:

"Please supply in full without any redactions, the DHSC and Manx government costs of:

1) masks for claimed prevention of 'covid'

2) lateral flow 'tests' ('LFT's') for 'covid'

3) PCR 'tests' for 'covid'

4) legal costs for drawing up 'covid' legislation

5) vaccine costs for 'covid' jabs - not limited to Pfizer or Oxford Astra Zeneca"

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Department of Health and Social Care (the Department) is unable to provide the information that you have requested. This is in line with Section 11(3)a of the Act, as a practical refusal reason applies; namely we do not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested.

With regards to question number 4, you may wish to re-submit your request to The Cabinet Office and for the remaining questions, you may wish to re-submit your request to Manx Care which are options available on the Freedom of Information request portal, where they may be able to help you.

To provide advice and assistance, the Department of Health and Social Care redesigned on 1 April 2021 as a direct result of Sir Jonathan Michael’s Independent Review of the Isle of Man Health and Care System. This Review continues to be a catalyst for change and improved service provision. The redesigned Department ensures the separation between the setting of policy and strategy and the delivery of services by Manx Care.

Please quote the reference number 4091074 in any future communications.

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.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. 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 2015; 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 right to a review can be found 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 at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.