Written Answers Nos. 343-345
343. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she will continue to support, update and expand public libraries in the future including incorporating the use of modern technology; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40901/24]
View answerThe provision of library services is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001. Notwithstanding this, investing in our library service is a key priority for me as Minister and this is reflected in the new Public Library Strategy 'The Library is the Place', which I launched in July last year at the official opening of the new Portlaoise library. The Strategy recognises that public libraries are at the heart of our communities and my Department provides a wide range of funding to support the library service.
To date in 2024, I have announced a new Libraries Capital Programme, which will support a major investment of €22.6m in 11 state-of-the-art library infrastructure projects and a further €2.6m in 12 next generation mobile library vehicles. The previous Libraries Capital Programme invested approximately €29m to support 17 infrastructure projects, the My Open Library service and a Small Scale Capital Works programme from 2016 to 2022.
In May of this year, I announced Rural Regeneration Development Funding of €164m to support 30 regeneration projects in rural towns and villages. This funding includes approval of over €28m for the provision of three new library facilities in Ballyhaunis, Kingscourt and Edenderry. This will bring to €98.8m the total Rural Regeneration Development Funding approved for the development and delivery of library projects across rural Ireland.
My Department will also provide funding of almost €741,900 this year, as a contribution to support local authorities in leasing buildings for the provision of public library services.
In addition, last November, I announced funding of €1.3m for the provision of new ICT equipment in public libraries. This investment enables the use of modern technology through the delivery of 1,685 devices, including PCs, laptops and tablets, which support the Public Library Strategy commitment to provide up-to-date ICT infrastructure to make our public libraries more accessible and digitally inclusive.
In July 2022, I announced funding of over €3.1m to support the provision of the My Open Library service in 17 new branches and the upgrade of the service in 29 existing branches. This investment continues to be rolled out.
344. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she expects to be in a position to support local improvement schemes initiated by local authorities in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40902/24]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not usually maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded in the future.
In April of this year, I announced over €40 million in funding for the 2024 and 2025 Schemes, having secured an additional once off funding allocation in respect of 2024. The announcement of LIS funding over 2 years was aimed towards helping local authorities better plan their work programmes in dealing with demand at local level.
This announcement brings the total amount of funding provided for LIS by my Department since its establishment in 2017 to just under €170 million. To date, this funding has resulted in improvement works on over 4,000 roads, benefitting almost 20,000 landowners and residents in these rural areas. Kildare County Council was allocated a total of €1.075m million in funding across 2024/2025.
For works completed in 2024, local authorities have until November to submit documentation to draw down funding. They can submit their 2025 priority lists for approval from January 2025 to afford local authorities the maximum time possible to complete projects.
345. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she expects to assist various tidy towns projects throughout the country in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40903/24]
View answerThe Supervalu TidyTowns competition is a unique volunteer-led programme that makes a hugely positive contribution in communities across Ireland. It is abundantly clear that our support for the Tidy Towns competition has delivered very tangible and visible benefits in towns and villages all over the country.
I am very conscious of the work undertaken by our Tidy Towns Groups and of the costs which can arise in the course of this work. With this in mind, in recent years I have put in place direct financial supports to groups to support the huge efforts that they make.
At the 2023 national awards ceremony I announced a funding package of €1.5 million to support TidyTowns groups in their initiatives for the 2024 competition. This funding brings the total allocation by my Department since 2017 to €9.6 million in direct funding to over 1,000 TidyTowns groups.
The funding of between €1,000 and €4,000 was provided to groups to assist them in preparing for the 2024 Competition, with the added benefits of helping to make our towns and villages better places to live, work and visit.
My officials are currently in the process of designing the next iteration of Tidy Town grant scheme to enable groups prepare for next year’s competition. I would also encourage TidyTowns groups to engage closely with their local authority or local development company to explore what other funding sources may be available to support the valuable voluntary work they are providing for their local communities.
The 2024 National Awards ceremony will take place in Croke Park on 1st November 2024 and
I look forward to announcing the various winners together with any plans for 2025 Tidy Towns at that event.
ENDS
