Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 December 2005
273 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress which has been made in view of the Comptroller and Auditor General’s report on the Irish Genealogical Project and his request to the board of IGL of June 2005 to produce a sustainable business plan as soon as possible; if the plan has been completed, where a copy can be obtained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38732/05]
View answer274 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the fact that the report from the Comptroller and Auditor General on the Irish Genealogical Project indicates that the main stakeholders in the project are of the view that at the current rate of progress, the inputting of church records on to the databases in the genealogical centres around the country could take another 20 years; his further views on whether this is an unacceptable long period of time to complete this project; the steps he will take to speed up this process; the progress which has been made by the Irish Family History Foundation and the IGL arising from their meeting of September 2005 in dealing with this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38733/05]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 273 and 274 together.
I have, of course, noted the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General in respect of the Irish Genealogy Project. I have requested Irish Genealogy Limited to prepare a 2006 business plan identifying a future course of action to progress the project. I can confirm that Irish Genealogy Limited has produced this 2006 business plan, which may be obtained from Mr. Eamon Rossi, chief executive officer, Irish Genealogy Limited, Shelbourne House, Shelbourne Road, Dublin 4.
I agree fully that the completion of this project over a further 20 years is unacceptable. My officials are examining the business plan with a view to determining the future of the project and are in consultation with both FÁS and Fáilte Ireland in that regard. As major stakeholders, Irish Genealogy Limited and the Irish Family History Foundation are engaged in discussions with a view to arriving at a consolidated approach to the completion of the project in a realistic timeframe.
The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General expressed some concern in respect of value for money and the anticipated timeframe for the completion of the project. It must be borne in mind that the bulk of the expenditure relates to the engagement of FÁS trainees under the community employment programme to input the data, and that many of the trainees have gone on to secure permanent employment.
