Vol. 518 No. 2
108 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has received a request from Cork County Council to provide funding for the upgrading of Midleton library; if so, the amount of money requested; when he will make these moneys available and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11333/00]
My Department has received proposals from Cork County Council for a branch library at Midleton, the construction of which is estimated by the local authority to cost £549,250.
Last year I approved a multi-annual expenditure programme for library development which, together with projects already under construction, involves a commitment of over £25 million in grant aid in the period 1999 to 2002. The programme includes the funding of Macroom branch library and two mobile libraries for Cork County Council.
The intention, arising from the Branching Out review of public library policy, is to complete a major redevelopment of our public library infrastructure over an eight year period from 1999 to 2006. I expect that the Midleton library will be provided under this programme but it is not possible at this stage to be more specific on the timescale.
