Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 October 2004
168 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when he expects the Irish genealogical project to be completed; the reason for the delay in completion, in view of the fact that 1994 was the target year of completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25370/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 15 of 1 July 2004.
As I indicated on that occasion, the primary aim of the Irish genealogical project, which has been the responsibility of my Department since 1997, is to compile all church and civil records up to 1900. The number of records involved is in excess of 20 million. I am advised that to date about three quarters of church records and 40% of civil records have been indexed by 35 designated Irish Genealogical Limited centres. Some €380,000 has been allocated in support of this project from subhead D4 in my Department's Vote in the current financial year.
The Irish Genealogy Limited business plan 2005-07 has a target of completion of 90% of church records by the end of 2007, subject to the necessary financial resources being available. Due to the prioritising of the indexing of church records, a target date for completion of the cataloguing of civil records has not been determined.
