Note: All references to particular sections of the FOI Act, unless otherwise stated, refer to the 1997 FOI Act as amended by the 2003 Act.

Section 16 of the Freedom of Information Act requires public bodies to publish:

- 'the rules, procedures, practices, guidelines and interpretations --- and an index of any precedents kept --- for the purposes of decisions --- under --- any enactment or scheme administered' by the public body 'with respect to rights, privileges, benefits, obligations, penalties or other sanctions to which members of the public are or may be entitled or subject under the enactment or scheme' together with

- 'information in relation to the manner or intended manner of administration of any such enactment or scheme'.

These rules are published under the FOI Act so that citizens can make an informed judgement as to whether their entitlements have been accorded to them by public bodies in full. 

The current edition of our S16 Reference Book, published in 2001, contains the following rules and practices:

• Funding for Enterprise Ireland business development clients
• Competitive funding schemes
• Funding for third level institutions
• Services available from Enterprise Ireland on a fee-paying basis
• Other support services
• Purchasing policies and procedures
• List of HR policies

This Reference Book is under review in the context of the recommendations contained in the recently published Enterprise Strategy Group Report "Ahead of the Curve:  Ireland's Place in the Global Economy".  Enterprise Ireland will take fully on board the clear direction set out in the Enterprise Strategy Group's report in the development of its new strategy, which will be announced following the publication of the implementation plan of the Inter-Departmental Group set up by the Tanaiste to give effect to the recommendations in the Report.

Copies of our current Reference Book, or any further information relating to the Rules and Practices of Enterprise Ireland, can be obtained by contacting:

14 July 2004.