Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
993. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the up to date position of a new community library in County Kildare (details supplied), the projected cost of the library; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16663/26]
View answerThe provision of library services, including the provision of library buildings, is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, the delivery of a new community library in Newbridge is primarily a matter for Kildare County Council. Notwithstanding this, my Department has approved funding of €3m in principle towards the project under the Libraries Capital Programme 2023-2027. The project is currently being progressed through my Department’s Four Stage Capital Management Process. This ensures that the project complies with the Public Library Standards and Benchmarks, Infrastructure Guidelines and the Capital Works Management Framework Policies. My Department issued Stage 3 Approval to Kildare County Council for the project, on 22 December 2025, which permits Kildare County Council to proceed to tender for the project. The overall project costs proposed by Kildare County Council at Stage 3 were €21.4m. My Department awaits the submission of Kildare County Council's Stage 4 Application, following the successful completion of the Council's tender process.
