Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:83. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide an update on funding for Carlow library. [3921/24]
View answerTuesday, 30 January 2024
Questions (83)
Oral answers (6 contributions)
I would like an update on the funding for Carlow library.
I thank the Deputy for her question. Public libraries have a key role to play in our cities and towns as hubs for information, recreation and inspiration. They provide welcoming spaces for all as well as access to a wide range of online resources and modern technology. While the provision of library services, including the provision of library buildings, is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001, my Department provides support for the development of libraries under the libraries capital programme and under the rural regeneration and development fund, RRDF.
Supporting libraries has been a key priority of mine as Minister. In July last year, I launched an ambitious new five-year strategy, The Library is the Place, which was designed to support and strengthen our public library network. This coincided with the opening of the new Portlaoise library. The new strategy contains 66 separate actions which will ensure our public libraries become multipurpose social and educational spaces for all members of the community to enjoy.
My Department has provided significant capital funding to support public libraries, with €29 million provided to local authorities under the previous libraries capital programme from 2016 to 2022 and a further €33.1 million in the capital envelope for public libraries for the 2023 to 2027 period. In April 2023, my Department invited all local authorities to submit proposals for the development of public library infrastructure, facilities and mobile library vehicles under the libraries capital programme. I can advise the Deputy that Carlow County Council submitted a proposal and the review of it and all other applications received will be completed shortly. I hope to be in a position to announce the successful infrastructure projects very soon.
I thank the Minister. She came to Carlow not long ago and visited our library. We have a beautiful library, but as the Minister knows, we need to expand it. I know Carlow County Council is promoting it and working within the community. The library is in what we know as the cultural quarter of Carlow town. The town has seen expansion, and according to the most recent census, Carlow has grown by 9%. We are one of the fastest growing counties in the country. As I said to the Minister when we met, Carlow is now a university town and we have many students coming in. As the Minister said, a library is an absolutely fabulous building to have. My own grandchild goes into the library every Saturday morning. There are classes and book reading. It is a beautiful place. It is a real place for families, children and students. It is absolutely brilliant. I know Carlow County Council has also been talking to the Minister on the topic.
I thank the Deputy and absolutely agree with her. I am a big fan of the libraries just like she is. Her story about bringing her grandchild to the library is great to hear because the library is for everybody. It does not matter if you are young or old, there is something in the library for you. Libraries had the image years ago as slightly boring places, but that is long gone because they are hives of activity in our communities. It would do your heart good to go into one because there is something for everybody. There might be access to learning computer skills, high-speed Internet, computers and photocopying. There are loads of things in libraries, including book clubs. They also host heritage events. They have become important parts of our communities and I am very much about supporting them. A good deal of funding has been provided through the rural regeneration fund to upgrade old libraries and repurpose them for modern, 21st century use. I will continue to support our libraries across the country.
I thank the Minister. As she said, the library is the place. I have seen Portlaoise library and it is absolutely outstanding. It is fabulous. Carlow really deserves this funding. We are a growing town. Would you believe that Carlow town is now bigger than Kilkenny city? Our town has a population of almost 27,500 while Kilkenny's population is approximately 27,000. We have grown so much. The library will be a huge asset to us. As I said, Carlow County Council has been in talks with the Minister's Department and I believe this will be a game-changer for us. I again thank the Minister for coming to visit us. She is welcome to Carlow anytime.
I must say I had a good day with the Deputy in Carlow. We travelled around and it was lovely to go to that library. It is an old building that needs to be upgraded. As I say, applications are being assessed and I hope to be in a position to make an announcement shortly. I hope Carlow is successful. I have not had sight of what has come through, to be honest, because applications are independently assessed. A lot of things happen in the library and it is bringing new life into the centre of our towns, which is important. As we discussed earlier, shops are leaving. We no longer have the high street shops we used to have because people's habits are changing. The library, however, brings everybody together, particularly when it is in the centre of the town. There is one in Portlaoise and, as the Deputy said, the library in Carlow is in the cultural quarter. I look forward to returning to the town.
Question No. 84 taken with Written Answers.