Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 May 2012
136 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if funding will be provided towards a history project (details supplied) of importance to all this island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21634/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Archives, which is funded directly by my Department, does not disburse funding to other bodies for digitisation projects of the nature referred to by the Deputy. However, under the National Archives Act, the National Archives can give advice on matters relating to archives. Therefore, staff in the National Archives is available to offer advice to the project in question, if such advice would be helpful.
I understand that the project is an important resource available to the public in its own right. I am very conscious of the importance of digitising material in order to protect our cultural heritage for future generations. As the Deputy will be aware, the National Archives have embarked on an extensive digitalisation programme of State records, most significantly in recent years the digitisation of the 1901 and 1911 census returns, which has generated huge interest, resulting in millions of visits to the National Archives website.
