Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 3

Written Answers. - Genealogical Projects.

Enda Kenny

Question:

250 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the resources available to the chief executive of the Irish Genealogy Project Limited; the budget allocated to him for 1998; the staffing levels allocated to his office; the arrangements, if any, that have been made to put in working order computer facilities to have a central location for all country genealogical information; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4141/98]

Enda Kenny

Question:

251 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of counties that have completed or are completing county genealogical data bases; if these have been professionally assessed to date in 1998; the counties in which no work is proceeding in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4142/98]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 250 agus Uimh. 251 le chéile.

The provision in my Department's estimate for 1998 in respect of Irish Genealogy Ltd. is £100,000. The staff resources of the company comprise the chief executive and an administrative assistant on secondment from the ESB and a project manager who is employed by the Irish Family History Foundation.

The day to day administrative and operational affairs of Irish Genealogy Ltd. are matters for that company. The Deputy will be aware that the Irish Genealogical Project was reported on critically by the Comptroller and Auditor General in a value for money examination published at the end of 1996. Responsibility for overseeing this project was transferred to my Department from the Department of An Taoiseach at the end of 1997. I am seeking sanction for the additional staff resources I consider essential to enable my Department to take on this extra workload.

When the necessary resources have been made available it is the intention of my Department to enter into discussions with Irish Genealogy Ltd. with a view to determining whether the deficiencies highlighted in the Comptroller and Auditor General's report are capable of satisfactory resolution with a view to establishing a marketable and viable product within a realistic time frame.