Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information Requests | DFA - DFA
Freedom of Information (FOI)
As a public authority, the Department of Financial Assistance (DFA) is committed to openness, transparency and serving the public interest in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act (2021 Revision). The FOI Act gives the public access to all types of records held by public authorities, but also sets out some exemptions from public access.
Information that relates to the Department is accessible either through the Department's publication scheme, or by submitting a FOI request to the Department.
Publication Scheme
Every public authority covered by the Freedom of Information Act has a legal duty to maintain a publication scheme.
The purpose of a publication scheme is to make information readily available to the public without the need for specific written FOI requests.
The publication scheme lists the information which is readily available to the public. The list is divided into seven different categories of information, to help you find the documents you are looking for.
The categories of information are:
- About Us
- Strategic Management
- Finance & Administration
- Policies and Procedures
- Decisions & Recommendations
- Lists & Registers
- Our Services
Making a FOI Request
If the information you seek is not found in the Department’s publication scheme then submit an FOI request.
Your FOI request must comply with these four requirements.
- It must be sent in writing, or transmitted by electronic means other than telephone.
- It must contain enough information to enable the Department to identify the records you have requested.
- It must include a name, in order to process your request (but this does not have to be your real name, as FOI requests can be submitted anonymously).
- It must include a means of contacting you so we can send responses, requests for clarification, or communicate with you as needed.
Submitting a FOI Request
- FOI requests can be emailed
- FOI requests can be sent via post
- FOI requests can be hand delivered
FOI Contact Information
- Information Manager - Julie Grant - (345) 244-7255
- Deputy Information Manager - Sheneka Moore - (345) 244-7316
P.O. Box 895
Grand Cayman KY1-1103
CAYMAN ISLANDS
Physical Address:
2nd Floor Aqua Mall
Seafarers Way
George Town
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
8 Avistar Building 1
West End Road West, West End
Cayman Brac
Cayman Islands
Timeline for FOI Request
The Department is required by law to respond to your request within 30 calendar days of receiving it. If we need an extension to process your request, the Department will advise you in writing within 30 calendar days of receiving your request.
Information that may be withheld
The Department of Financial Assistance will generally not publish:
- information in draft form;
- information that is not held by the Department of Financial Assistance, or which has been disposed of in accordance with a legally authorised disposal schedule;
- information that is not readily available – for example: information that is contained in files that have been placed in archive storage, or is otherwise difficult to access; and
- information that is exempt under the FOI Act, or otherwise protected from disclosure – for example: personal information; or commercially sensitive information. Records containing exempt matters will be published in a redacted form, wherever it is practical to do so, indicating which exemptions apply.
Information will only be withheld where the FOI Act expressly permits it.
Whenever information is withheld, we will inform you of this and explain why that information cannot be released. Even where information is withheld, it may be possible to provide a redacted copy, with the exempt matter edited out.
If you wish to complain about any information which has been withheld, please refer to the Complaints Section.
Methods of access
Information available under our publication scheme will usually be accessible through the methods described below.
Categories of information provides more details on the information available under the scheme, along with additional guidance on how the information within each category may be accessed.
Online and Email
You can browse this website or use its “Search” facility to locate documents.
Also refer to our Disclosure Log and Publication Listings, as the information that you are seeking may have already been published.
If you are still having trouble locating information listed under our scheme, please contact the Information Manager by e-mail at foi.dfa@gov.ky.
Phone
Documents listed in the publication scheme can also be requested by telephone.
Please call (345) 946-0024, (345) 244-7255, (345) 244-7316 to request information.
Post
Requests may be addressed to:
The Information Manager
Department of Financial Assistance
P.O. Box 895
Grand Cayman KY1-1103 CAYMAN ISLANDS
In your request, please provide your name and address, and full details of the information or documents you would like to receive.
You may also wish to provide a telephone number so that we can call you to clarify details if necessary.
Personal Visits
In limited cases, you may be required to make an appointment to view information listed in the publication scheme.
In order to make an appointment, you can contact the Information Manager by e-mail at foi.dfa@gov.ky or by phone at (345) 244-7255.
Fees and Charges
For more information on FOI, visit Cayman Islands Government's FOI or Ombudsman.
Related information:
Last Updated: October 2024
