Vol. 483 No. 5
12 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands her views on the need to improve records on the items in the care of the National Museum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20635/97]
In order for the National Museum to properly manage its collections, it is necessary that all its artefact be documented and that an easily accessible record of these collections be in place. In the past such documentation systems have been largely paperbased and were not always maintained in a consistent manner.
In recognition of the needs in this area, a programme was initiated on a pilot basis in 1995 to prepare a computerised inventory of the museum's collections. The immediate focus was to catalogue, document and photograph all the objects in the museum's art and industrial collections destined for transfer to its new facility in Collins Barracks.
I am pleased to note that approximately 25,000 objects have now been documented to this standard, and that with the records now created it will be possible to generate a wide range of indexes for internal and external use which will serve to make such information available to a wider public. This work represents the beginning of a longterm process of properly documenting all of the records relating to the museum's extensive collections. Specific staffing resources were engaged on a contract basis to deal with this pilot programme.
In addition, in response to the identified needs in this area, a newly created post in the museum of registrar and information technology officer was filled this year. The brief of this officer includes a review of the work achieved to date, as well as establishing the documentation needs and the programmes required for the future in relation to the museum's other collections. I am confident that with the preparation of a dedicated strategy in the information technology and registration areas that considerable progress will be made towards resolving these long-standing issues.
