In terms of section 25 of the Act, the DHS must decide whether to grant or refuse a request and give notice with reasons to that effect within 30 days of receipt of the request.

The 30 days within which the DHS has to decide whether to grant or refuse the request may be extended once for a period of not more than 30 days if the request is for large amounts of information or if the request requires a search for information held at another office of the DHS and the information cannot be reasonably obtained within the original period of 30 days.

The DHS must notify the requester in writing if an extension is required.