Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 14 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 3

Written Answers. - Departmental Records.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

260 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department has a corporate policy, a departmental strategy and an electronic document and record management system in place in connection with electronic records; the system in place to preserve electronic records for the future; and if this system allows for the easy searching of records in order to comply with the requirements of and the implementation of the freedom of information legislation and the relevant National Archives legislation. [22833/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

My Department is very conscious of the need to manage electronic records and the importance of preserving records of archival value. We are developing a strategy and guidelines on dealing with records and will also be putting a training programme in place to ensure that staff are aware of the legislation concerning records. The office of the National Archives will be producing guidelines on preservation of electronic records and my Department will work closely with this office to ensure compliance with these guidelines.