Freedom of Information Act

Last updated: 23/11/2023

The Freedom of information Act (Cap. 496)
EN / MT is a law that gives access to documents held by a public authority. This law gives a ‘right-of-access’ to eligible persons, increasing transparency and accessibility. Every person resident in Malta or who has been resident for a period of at least five years, and who is either a citizen of Malta or a citizen of any other EU member State, is eligible to make a request under the FOI Act.

A request for accessing a document or information under the FOI Act can be submitted online through the FOI Portal http://www.foi.gov.mt/.
Information regarding the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE), pursuant to Article 17 of the FOI Act:

Description of the department/directorate/entity’s structure	For NCPE’s organisational structure click here
Description of the department/directorate/entity’s functions and responsibilities	NCPE’s remit covers discrimination based on: (i) sex and family responsibilities, sexual orientation, age, religion/belief, race/ethnic origin, and gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics in employment; banks and financial institutions, as well as education; (ii) race/ethnic origin and gender in the provision of goods and services and their supply; and (iii) freedom of movement for workers in the EU. NCPE’s functions are laid down in the Equality for Men and Women Act, CAP.456, Art.12.
General description of the categories of documents the NCPE holds (including exempt documents)	Human resources Procurement and finances Administration Travel Projects Requests for information NCPE training Equality Mark Online Directory of Professional Women Communications and PR Published documents Policy review Discriminatory adverts Investigation of complaints on alleged discrimination and sexual harassment (exempt) In the latter case, the Equality for Men and Women Act, CAP. 456, Art. 18(5) stipulates that: “The Commissioner and every other member of the Commission or any member of the staff of the Commission shall treat any matter coming to their knowledge in the course of an investigation as confidential and shall not disclose the same unless such disclosure is necessary in the course of a prosecution or an action for redress under this Act.”
Description of all manuals and similar types of documents which contain policies, principles, rules or guidelines in accordance with which decisions or recommendations are made in respect of members of the public (including bodies corporate and employees of the public authority in their personal capacity	Internal policy document Standard operating procedures (SOPs) NCPE MEMOs Meeting minutes
Internal Complaints Procedure	An applicant, whose request for information is refused, or who is otherwise not satisfied with the information provided, its format or the extension of the deadline for the submission of the requested information, may address a complaint to the NCPE’s FOI Officer.The officer responsible shall reply to the applicant within ten (10) working days from the receipt of the complaint.The applicant shall be also informed that he or she may appeal the decision or otherwise address a complaint to the Information and Data Protection Commissioner in accordance with the FOI Act.
Public Authority Contact Details	Address: NCPE Gattard House National Road Blata l-Bajda HMR 9010 Malta Tel: (+356) 2276 8200 Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Website: https://ncpe.gov.mt/