I propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 257 together.
Storage of all current files and records is an integral part of the fabric and facilities of the buildings occupied by the Department. These buildings and facilities are provided via the Office of Public Works.
In that regard, storage is one of the many elements of the facilities within the buildings which support the day to day functioning of the Department and as such it is not possible to disaggregate costs from all of the other elements. It is also not possible to disaggregate the costs of those records that are ultimately bound for the National Archives and which are currently part of the existing storage array.
In addition, off-site storage of non-current files and records is organised and paid for under contract centrally via OPW. My Department does not incur costs for this storage. A small proportion of these stored records will inevitably be forwarded to the National Archives in due course (when they exceed thirty years in existence) if they satisfy the criteria for qualification as a National Archive as determined by the National Archives of Ireland.
My Department does not have an archivist employed and there are no plans to engage the services of an archivist at this time.
