Grant

Summary

A request was made for detailed payment statistics regarding the Countryside scheme for farmers, including total amounts and recipient counts by value bracket. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture refused to provide the information directly, citing that it is already reasonably accessible on their public website.

Key Facts

• The request was received on 2018-05-08 and responded to on 2018-05-17.
• The authority handling the request is the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.
• The outcome was 'No information sent - all held but exempt'.
• The refusal was based on Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.
• The requested data is available via a specific hyperlink on the government website.

Data Disclosed

• 2018-05-08
• 2018-05-17
• 462340
• 50k
• 60k
• 70k
• 80k
• 100k

Exemptions Cited

• Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information reasonably accessible)

Original Request

1. How much has been paid out to farmers as it relates to the Country side scheme. 2. How many farmers received the grant 3. How many farmers received 50k or more, 60k or more, 70k or more, 80k or more 100k or more

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Highcroft, Crosby, IM4 2DN Freedom of Information Co-ordinator Corporate Services Directorate Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St John’s, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS Tel no (01624) 685854 Fax no (01624 685851 Email: defa@gov.im www.gov.im

Our ref: 462340 17th May 2018

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on the 8th May 2018 and which states:

"1. How much has been paid out to farmers as it relates to the Country side scheme. 2. How many farmers received the grant 3. How many farmers received 50k or more, 60k or more, 70k or more, 80k or more 100k or more"

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under section 20 of the Act, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you, whether free of charge or on payment of a fee. The information you request is already publically available on the Department website using this hyperlink https://www.gov.im/categories/business-and- industries/agriculture/agricultural-development-scheme/payments/breakdown-of- payments/

Please quote the reference number 462340 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.

Yours sincerely