Theresa Ahearn
Ceist:43 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will reinstate funding for a national women's archive and resource centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24846/98]
Written Answers - Women's History Projects.
Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss De Valera):
I presume that the Deputy is referring to the funding given by my predecessor for studies on the feasibility of establishing such an archive. This funding ceased after it was concluded that such support, resources permitting, should be through the national cultural institutions under my aegis. In this context I have provided funding for a womens history project primarily to identify archival sources relating to women. This two year project is currently under way under the supervision of the Irish Manuscripts Commission and is due for completion in mid 1999. I am satisfied that this project will go a substantial way in identifying and protecting manuscript archives relating to women within the framework of the national collecting institutions under my aegis. Funding of a women's resource centre is not a matter for my Department.