Vol. 510 No. 6
345 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands her policy in regard to the provision, planning, direction, accessibility, cost and funding of genealogical services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23471/99]
The General Register Office which is the responsibility of the Department of Health and Children contains the records of births, marriages and deaths which are primary records for genealogical research. My Department does not have responsibility for the provision of genealogical services except in so far as two of the national cultural institutions under my aegis make available source documents of various kinds to the public, namely, the National Library and the National Archives. There have been major developments in improving all the services rendered by these institutions recently.
A very successful new genealogical advisory service was established by the National Library in mid 1998, which provides a free advisory service to visitors to the library. This is not a genealogical tracing service but advises the public on the sources they should consult in carrying out family history research. In July of this year this service welcomed its 10,000th visitor and caters for an average of 1,000 visitors per month. The library intends to develop its genealogical services according as resources – premises, staff and finance – permit in the years ahead.
The National Archives provides free access for genealogists and the public to records and it supplies copies of archives on payment of a fee. In the course of the year 2000 the National Archives will make microfilms available, on a self-service basis, of the census returns of 1901 and 1911. This will improve the quality of the service to the public, while safeguarding the original records from damage.
My Department assumed responsibility for the funding of the Irish Genealogical Project in November 1997. Following the completion of a comprehensive review of the project I decided earlier this year to provide Irish Genealogy Limited, as manager of the project, with funding of £210,000 in the current year. This funding is being provided to enable Irish Genealogy Limited implement a business plan, which addresses and prioritises a number of critical tasks identified in my Department's review.
The Heritage Council presented its report on the provision of genealogical services in Ireland to me in December of last year which includes a recommendation to establish a new genealogy body. However, I feel that the necessary improvements can best be achieved by the integrated and co-ordinated development of the services provided through existing organisations.
346 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will give details of the dereognition of the McCarthy Mór; the reason for this derecognition; if other derecognitions are to follow as a consequence; if this situation places her Department as being and acting as arbiter in matters of pedigree outside normal successional law; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23487/99]
The position with regard to this matter was outlined in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 726 of 29 September last. The position is explained in more detail in a statement which was issued by the chief herald in August of this year and I am arranging to have this statement forwarded to the Deputy.
As regards the issue of other recognitions the position is as set out in the final three paragraphs of my reply of 29 September.
