Vol. 521 No. 5
142 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the plans she has with regard to the opening up the genealogical and heraldic contract work to tender; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17721/00]
The volume of genealogical and heraldic contract work available from the National Library in any one year is quite limited. In so far as genealogical work is concerned, it is the practice to engage for this purpose members of the Association of Professional Genealogists of Ireland who are available and suitable for particular assignments. Persons are engaged for heraldic work on the basis of inquiries as to the availability of persons with knowledge and experience of the specialised work involved. Given the nature of the particular assignments involved and the relatively small value of individual commissions the current arrangements are considered satisfactory.
143 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the plans, she has to abolish the Genealogical Office and integrate it into the National Library; and the further plans she has with regard to the funding of an urgent programme to upgrade the facilities for genealogical research. [17723/00]
The genealogical office is a branch of the National Library and is fully integrated with the administration and management of the library generally.
As regards upgrading facilities for genealogical research, in so far as the library is concerned, I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 16994 of 15 June 2000.
