Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 May 2017
199. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to extend the capacity of the National Archives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23504/17]
View answerI have earmarked €8 million in funding for the first phase in a capital development plan at the National Archives. The OPW has appointed a design team to the project and I expect it to go to tender later this year. This significant capital investment will address many of the long-standing infrastructural issues that face the National Archives.
Thanks to improvements in the economy, I have been in a position to secure additional funding for the National Archives over the past 3 years which has seen current funding increase from €1,105,000 to €1,365,000. This included providing the National Archives with a special allocation of €150,000 for 2016 and 2017 to assist in work being undertaken in association with the Office of Government Chief Information Officer on a public sector records management policy.
I will continue to support the Archives to the greatest extent possible and hope to be in a position to provide additional funding as the Exchequer position continues to improve.
