Barry Cowen
Question:920. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the tendering process for the national genealogy centre will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55252/13]
View answerDáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 January 2014
920. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the tendering process for the national genealogy centre will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55252/13]
View answerGenealogy policy is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. However, in relation to the development a Diaspora Centre, which comes under my remit, the Government’s infrastructure and capital investment framework 2012-16, published in November 2011, includes a commitment to support for a Diaspora centre or museum, should a suitable project and partner be available.
I asked Fáilte Ireland to carry out a scoping study of the development of such a centre and the most suitable means by which it could be financed, developed and managed. In 2013 I received the outcome of the scoping study and following consideration of the appropriate next steps, I decided that expressions of interest should be sought to establish if there is a suitable project and partner available to develop a Diaspora centre.
My Department and Fáilte Ireland will be making the necessary arrangements for a call for expressions of interest along these lines in the near future.