Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 503: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action he is taking to protect documents currently in the care of the local authority archives throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18084/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Local authorities are required by Section 80 of the Local Government Act 2001 to make proper arrangements for the management, custody, care and conservation of their records and archives and to provide public access to their archives. In order to support and encourage local authorities, my Department established a subsidy scheme whereby local authorities may recoup 50% of the salary of an archivist employed by them, for up to 2 years, subject to certain conditions. They may also qualify for short term assistance in respect of leasing accommodation for the purposes of processing archives. A number of projects funded by my Department under the Library Capital Programme have included specific funding for the construction of dedicated archive facilities.