Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Dec 1990

Vol. 403 No. 8

Written Answers. - Archaeological Survey.

John Connor

Question:

58 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the progress made on the archaeological survey being conducted on a county by county basis throughout the country by the Office of Public Works; and when it is expected this survey will be completed.

Minister for Finance (Mr. A. Reynolds)

The archaeological survey of Ireland has made good progress, particularly in recent years. There are three stages, the first being the preparation of sites and monuments records. These have now been completed for twenty counties, four more are in progress and work on the remaining two counties will be commenced in 1991 and completed in 1992.

While resources have been concentrated on the production of the sites and monuments records, progress has also been sustained on the next stage of the archaeological survey, namely, the production of archaeological inventories. Four counties have now been published to this standard and work is under way on a further 12 counties.

The final stage of the archaeological survey will be reached in relation to County Louth, with the publication of the detailed archaeological survey for that county in 1991. It is not possible to say at this juncture when this stage will be reached for all counties. In addition, an urban archaeological survey was commenced in 1982 and to date this has been completed for 23 counties.