Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
994. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for an update on funding for a new library (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17137/26]
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 the new library project, as referred to by the Deputy, is primarily a matter for the relevant local authority. In February 2016, the former Department of Environment, Community and Local Government approved €2m towards this project under the Libraries Capital Programme 2016-2022, and this funding approval remains in place.
A condition of funding for projects approved under the Libraries Capital Programme is that they must comply with my Department’s Four Stage Capital Management Process. This process seeks to incorporate both the Infrastructure Guidelines and Capital Works Management Framework requirements, in a streamlined and easy to follow process. My Department received the Stage 4 submission from the relevant local authority on 2 December 2025. This submission is progressing through the standard review process and I am advised that a Stage 4 decision letter will issue to the local authority shortly.
Finally, I am advised that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has allocated Urban Regeneration and Development Funding (URDF) of €41.9m to the overall development project, with €5.9m being allocated to Project 4 which includes the library element.
