asked the Minister for Local Government if he will outline arrangements for newspaper reading facilities for elderly people in the Dublin area; and whether library space is allocated for this purpose.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Newspaper Reading Facilities.
97.
Any such arrangements would be a matter for the library authorities. There is no information on the matter available in my Department other than that conveyed to the Deputy in reply to question No. 115 of 23rd October, 1969.
Would the Minister, just to help me on this occasion, tell me what his reply was on that occasion?
Does the Deputy want me to read it out again?
Yes, just to help me.
I am always glad to help the Deputy. The reply I gave then was:
I understand over the years newspaper reading facilities in Dublin Corporation libraries have largely been discontinued. This is entirely a matter for decision by individual library authorities.
Would the Minister concern himself with this? He must be aware that we do not have any elected parties in Dublin Corporation at present and therefore we are at the mercy of officials here in Dublin. Would the Minister consider it a corporate work of mercy that elderly people in Dublin should be able to read newspapers in libraries and that these facilities should be available?
It seems over the years the corporation have strongly resisted requests that they provide special reading rooms in the new branch libraries. They feel there is no longer a sufficient demand for this facility. This view is shared by An Comhairle Leabharlanna who recently influenced Cork Corporation's decision to omit a newspaper reading room from the proposed extension to the city library in Cork.
This is without reference to elderly people of course, who may have other views on the matter. The Minister should have a look at this.
The local authorities have complete discretion in this. I have no function in it.
We do not have any elected parties here in Dublin Corporation.