Departmental Records

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 September 2014

Thursday, 18 September 2014

Questions (166, 167)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

166. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if it is the practice of her Department to employ an archivist to examine records and archives once records are deemed appropriate for archiving to determine the quality of the records, the importance, the estimated care and attention needed to preserve the records and so on; if not, whether she will consider this option in order to best capture the most valuable records before they potentially deteriorate in storage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35399/14]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

167. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total cost to her Department and those agencies under its aegis for the storage of records and archives that are ultimately intended to be forwarded to the National Archives; if she will provide details of this cost for 2012 and 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35423/14]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 167 together.

I can inform the Deputy that this Department does not employ an archivist to examine records or archives and there are no plans to do so. Advice is obtained from the National Archives Office as required and the National Archives Guidelines 2004/1 on the transfer of paper Departmental records to the National Archives are adhered to.

The total costs incurred for off-site storage which was paid directly by my Department and bodies under its aegis was €394,115.76 in 2012 and €417,785.50 in 2013. This relates to all record storage, much of which will eventually transfer to the National Archives. These figures also include incidental expenses such as file retrieval, handling, etc.