Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 April 2016
746. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to consider the construction of a new library at a location in Sligo town for the Sligo central library, given the condition of its current building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5502/16]
View answerThe provision of premises and facilities in the public library service is generally a matter for each local authority in its capacity as a library authority. Notwithstanding this, my Department recently announced a new Libraries Capital Investment Programme for the period 2016-2021. Some €22m will be available to local authorities under the programme as a contribution towards the cost of 16 capital library projects and the mainstream roll-out of the ‘Open Libraries’ service.
Unfortunately, the value of proposals received from local authorities was substantially greater than the funding available to the programme. It was necessary, therefore, to rank proposals and prioritise funding on the basis of an objective assessment of each proposal. While Sligo Central Library was identified as priority investment for Sligo County Council, it was not ranked high enough to be included in the programme. The programme will be kept under review, however, with funding allocated to the remaining proposals as it becomes available.
