asked the Minister for Education whether he can give any information regarding the proposed re-arrangement of the National Museum; whether his attention has been drawn to the depleted condition of the staff of the Museum; and whether he proposes to take steps to obtain properly qualified assistants to fill the vacancies.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - NATIONAL MUSEUM STAFF.
The Committee set up last year to inquire into the National Museum resolved that:
"The main purposes of the National Museum of Ireland should be to accumulate, preserve, study and display such objects as may serve to increase and diffuse the knowledge of Irish civilisation, of the natural History of Ireland and of the relations of Ireland in these respects with other countries."
It is proposed to accept this resolution as a basis of policy for the Museum, and a re-arrangement of the Museum will accordingly be necessary.
I am aware of the present conditions with regard to the staff of the Museum, and I propose taking steps to obtain properly qualified museum officers as soon as I am in a position to indicate the nature and extent of the services for which such officers will be required.
Could the Minister say in this connection whether there is any prospect of the Museum receiving accommodation in lieu of the space of which it has been deprived?
I am not able to make any statement as regards that at present.
With regard to the new attendants which it is proposed to take on, will they be recruited by open competitive examination?
I think it is most unlikely.
Will the new men be recruited by open competitive examination?
They will be recruited through the Civil Service Commission undoubtedly, but that is a different matter from competitive examination.