Cost of Social Security staff time investigating the whereabouts of an individual (FOI)

​Request

I would like to have information regarding (some under handed investigations in my opinion and total waste of tax payers money) that I was, and probably still am, investigated regarding my whereabouts since my divorce.

I would like all costs that this has cost in other parties' time such as DVS, parishes and other private investigations social securities end. I would like this information with all running costs to date please at your earliest convenience.

I'm consulting my lawyer to see if this has all been carried out correctly, as I feel having had no claim with social security and refused to be able to make joint claim back in 2008/2009, there [is]no need for such investigation.

Response

The Social Security department does not hold any information on costs relating to investigations by other parties.

Driving and Vehicle Standards (DVS) is part of the Transport and Technical Services department (TTS). TTS has confirmed it does not hold any records of investigations (back to 2009) in which the requestor's name was included.

At this time, the Parishes and private companies are not covered by the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011, therefore we would advise contacting them directly to request any information under the Data Protection (Jersey) Law 2005.

All Social Security costs, in respect of an investigation, is the time of the Investigations Team involved on a given case. The Social Security Investigations Team record time worked on a case in 15 minute slots. The total cost of investigations staff time noted where the requestor's name was involved, from 2009 to date, is £1042.13.

No other staff time is recorded as this would be business as usual, for example, processing of claims or collection of contributions.

Names of parties have been redacted [from the request and response] for the privacy of the parties involved.

Exemption

Article 25 Personal Information

(2) Information is absolutely exempt information if:

(a) it constitutes personal data of which the applicant is not the data subject as defined in the Data Protection (Jersey) Law 2005; and

(b) its supply to a member of the public would contravene any of the data protection principles,
as defined in that Law.