Vol. 523 No. 2
92 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the progress made in her discussions with the Department of Finance regarding the provision of additional resources for the National Archives to enable it to recruit additional staff and provide a better service, and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20226/00]
I anticipate that the discussions between my Department and the Department of Finance on the provision of additional resources for the National Archives will be concluded in the near future, following which a determination will be made in the matter of providing additional resources.
Will the Minister respond to the concerns expressed by the director of the National Archives last New Year when she spoke of difficulties that were generated by severe staff shortages? Will the Minister bring about definite improvements?
This situation has pertained since June 1996 when the National Archives were seeking extra staff to deal with the situation. At that time the strategic plan for the National Archives was prepared. Over the years, from 1997 to 2000, the director has been looking for additional staff to deal with those issues as well as with the new responsibilities of information technology. At the request of the Department of Finance, the director provided a priority list of staffing required. He also stated the implications of not increasing the numbers. This information was submitted to officials of the Department of Finance who recently visited the National Archives to assess the situation at first hand.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
