Vol. 448 No. 4
54 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if there is an inventory of all items in the care of the National Museum; if he will give a breakdown of the number of items on display, on loan, in storage, repair and conserved in the Museum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2054/95]
As has been indicated on previous occasions, the Deputy will be aware that the National Museum holds the major part of the portable heritage of this country. Items held are recorded within the ambit of each of the respective collections of the museum. Owing to the constant movement however, occurring within these collections, it is not possible to give an accurate breakdown as requested by the Deputy. However, I understand that there are approximately 12,000 items on display, with a small number on loan to various bodies with the remainder in storage or in the process of conservation.
In the light of the proposed relocation of some of the collections to the Collins Barracks site, it is envisaged that much material currently not on display will in the future be exhibited there. As part of this relocation plan a new computerised cataloguing system is being introduced within the museum to improve the current documentation process.
