Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2017
57. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the status of the capital spending programme for the National Archives and the National Library; the timeframe for when the two projects will be completed and both institutions will be fully functioning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3784/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is providing €8m for the first phase in a three-phase capital development plan to address deficiencies in the National Archives premises in Bishop Street and is working with the National Archives and the OPW to advance this project. The OPW has appointed a design team to the project and work is ongoing to finalise the design. It is expected that this will be completed shortly and that project will go out to tender this year.
In relation to the National Library I have announced a capital investment of €10m for the Library's historic Kildare Street premises. As with the Archives, my Department is working with the National Library and the OPW to advance this project as part of a phased programme of works. Design work is well advanced on the project and I would expect works to start this year .
I am confident that the investment plan will help transform the Library into a world-class facility for the storage and display of some of our most important historical documents.
Together these two investment programmes will allow the National Archives and the National Library to deliver on their core objectives of protecting and conserving their collections, as well as allowing them to develop as venues for research, culture, learning and tourism.
