Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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161. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider establishing a consolidated mechanism for record keeping, in view of the fact that Government Departments, State agencies and the broader public service are responsible for their own off-site file storage and archiving arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11063/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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In response to the Deputy's question, my Department is working with other Departments and the National Archives to develop a plan to improve record management within the Public Service aiming to assist in the establishment of a coherent and consistent approach to records management.  Over the next three years, we will bring together a number of Departments and agencies to develop a collective approach to records management.  The plan will also focus on the promotion of digital records management aiming to reduce the amount of paper used by Departments and agencies.  My Department developed and deployed an electronic document and records management system last year.  This system is being rolled out to other Departments ensuring a consistent approach to digital records management.

In the context of property rationalisation, the Commissioners of Public Works are reviewing storage requirements of Government Departments with a view to identifying potential options to meet file storage and archiving requirements in a more efficient manner into the future.