Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Oct 1999

Vol. 508 No. 4

Written Answers. - Library Projects.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

183 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will provide the necessary finance in his Department's Estimates to allow the new library in Castleisland, County Kerry to go to tender and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19188/99]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

The capital provision for library development was increased from £2.76 million in 1998 to £7.2 million for this year.

In light of the increased funding available, library authorities were asked by my Department in January 1999 to submit a prioritised list of library projects in order that an expenditure programme could be formulated by the Department. The priority building proposal identified by Kerry library authority to my Department was the Tralee library and headquarters, pro posals for which are currently under examination in my Department. The proposed new library in Castleisland is included in the list supplied by the library authority but with a lower level of priority.

Earlier this 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 1999-2002. The programme includes the funding of a mobile library and a delivery van for Kerry library authority.

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 1999-2006. I expect that the Castleisland library will be provided under this programme but it is not possible at this stage to be more specific on the timescale.