I do not accept the suggestion that my Department holds the National Library of Ireland in disregard. Indeed it is seen by my Department as one of its priority areas as evidenced by the increase in funding from £1.4 million in 1993 to £2.4 million in 1997. When the previous director retired at the end of January no effort was spared to ensure that the post was advertised at the earliest possible date. It was decided to fill the post on this occasion on the basis of a five year contract and the position was advertised on 20 February.
The salary for the grade of director of the National Library is £39,043, rising after four years to £45,525. The salary for the position of director to be filled on a five year contract basis is at the equivalent of the first point of that scale, £39,043, which is the normal position when posts are being filled on a contract rather than on a permanent basis. The salary level for the post will, however, in accordance with normal practice be reviewed when the new director has satisfactorily completed two years' service and at the end of each subsequent year of service. Accordingly, I expect the salary for the post will over time, reach the maximum for the grade. It should be noted that the former director also started on the first point of the scale. There is no change in the level of qualifications required for this position from those that applied when the position was advertised previously in 1988.