There are some 35 genealogical centres now spread throughout the 32 counties where computerising of records from parish and other universal sources is being undertaken by trainees from FÁS and ACE — Action for Community Employment, a programme run by the Northern Ireland Training Authority. The number of records held on computer in these centres up to June 1991 totalled 4 million. There are also 4 million items held in manual records some of which are also on computer records. The estimate for completion of the work of computerising parish and other records is three to four years. I am glad to report this progress in the provision of a nationwide genealogical service.
Deputies will, no doubt, be aware that a homecoming festival is being arranged jointly by Bord Fáilte and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board for September 1992. The objective of the festival is to attract an additional 10,000 visitors to Ireland, both North and South. A programme of special events of a cultural and genealogical nature will form the core of the festival and the genealogical centres will be actively involved in these events.
I would like to pay a tribute to the International Fund for Ireland for the contribution of £435,000 towards the costs of the festival.