Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 September 2014
208. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total cost to his Department and those under its aegis for the storage of records and archives that are ultimately intended to be forwarded to the National Archives in time; if he will provide this cost for 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35420/14]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade operates a dedicated file depository which is based in a warehouse leased by the Office of Public Works (OPW). This facility is a secure store for all departmental files which are no longer in everyday use within the department and allows for the retrieval of files as necessary for business purposes. Two permanent staff members are based there to manage the departmental file holdings. In addition, the departmental archives unit is based at this facility and prepares files for transfer to the National Archives. Staff costs of €133,062.17 in 2012 and €131,480.08 in 2013 were incurred for the combined tasks of management of the departmental file holdings and preparation for transfer of the appropriate files to the National Archives.
The costs of leasing the building itself is borne by the OPW, with the Department being responsible for the payment of utilities and other accommodation related services. In 2012, the cost for these services was €30,000 and for 2013, it was €33,000. The total for 2012 for staffing and ancillary costs, but excluding rental payments, amounted to €163,062.17. For 2013, the total cost was €164,480.08.
