Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 April 2024
434. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware that the research room for the general records is now only open one day a week, down from five, which is considerably hampering research; and if she will consider arrangements to make it more accessible. [19415/24]
View answerThe research room is based in Werburgh Street, Dublin and is operated by staff from the General Register Office and operates under the aegis of my Department.
Prior to Covid-19 the office opened 5 days a week. The enforced closure of the office to the public during Covid highlighted an issue around access to the records held in the research room. Access to the indexes used for research purposes required that members of the public had to travel to Dublin and share access with other users. Additionally, the indexes were not fully up to date and nor could they be digitally searched or queried. The service was not used extensively by members of the public and there was significant costs to the Department in opening and maintaining the building 5 days a week.
A new method to access the records was introduced during Covid that allowed members of the public to email their research request to the staff of the GRO. Staff have access to digitalized records and indexes within the Department's internal registration computer system which allowed them to provide a more accurate, faster and more complete search for the customer. This new system has improved the service that is offered by the research room and has been welcomed by users.
To cater for persons who do wish to attend in person, the office remains open to members of the public each Tuesday in addition to the provision of the email service. The service has also recently expanded the opening hours on Tuesdays and is no longer closed for lunch.
The GRO have engaged with both professional and individual researches over the use of the service and have received positive feedback in relation to the new opening hours and the continued use of the email service.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy
