Library Projects.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2007

Tuesday, 9 October 2007

Questions (423)

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

513 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that although a new state of the art library has been constructed in Garristown, it remains unopened due to staff shortage; if in view of the staffing problem he will relax the local authority staff embargo to allow for the employment of staff in order that this library can be opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22451/07]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)

I am aware of the current staffing needs identified by Fingal County Council in relation to the new library in Garristown and am more generally reviewing the overall employment levels in the local government sector having regard to the need to deliver front line services and achieve value for money within the parameters of Government policy on public service employment generally.

As part of my review, my Department is consulting the Department of Finance in relation to the current ceiling on local authority staff numbers, including increased servicing requirements in areas which have experienced high population growth.