ICO Decision Notice on NICIE FOI Complaint

ICO Decision Notices

Filed February 12th, 2026

Detected February 17th, 2026

Summary

The UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has upheld a decision regarding a Freedom of Information (FOI) complaint against the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE). The decision found that NICIE was entitled to rely on section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act (cost of compliance) to refuse part of a request.

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What changed

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has issued a decision notice upholding NICIE's reliance on section 12(1) of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to refuse a request for correspondence and meeting minutes concerning Shimna Integrated College. The complainant sought information exchanged with the College's Board of Governors since September 2021, but NICIE cited the cost of compliance as grounds for refusal for a portion of the request.

This decision confirms that NICIE acted appropriately in applying the cost of compliance exemption. The ICO also found that NICIE fulfilled its duty to offer advice and assistance. For public authorities, this reinforces the conditions under which the cost of compliance exemption can be lawfully applied to FOI requests, provided appropriate advice and assistance is offered.

Source document (simplified)

Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education

Date 12 February 2026
Sector Central government
Decision(s) FOI 12: Upheld The complainant sought correspondence and meeting minutes from NICIE relating to the governance and financial management at Shimna Integrated College that had been exchanged with the College's Board of Governors since September 2021. NICIE provided information in full for part two of the request (meeting minutes) but relied on section 12 of FOIA (cost of compliance) to refuse the remainder of the request. The Commissioner’s decision is that NICIE was entitled to rely on section 12(1) of FOIA to refuse the request. The Commissioner also finds that the public authority complied with its section 16 obligation to offer advice and assistance.