Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 27 Mar 1996

Vol. 463 No. 4

Written Answers. - Library Service.

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

109 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment the total number of library projects which received site acquisition and/or development funding from his Department in each of the years from 1990 to 1995; the plans, if any, he has for the further expansion of the library service in co-operation with other Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6671/96]

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Howlin)

The number of library projects which received capital grants from my Department in the period 1990 to 1995 is set out in the following table:

Year	Number of Projects
1990	10
1991	12
1992	7
1993	10
1994	10
1995	15

The figures do not include allocations to each library authority on foot of a special once-off grant of £1.99 million in 1994 for the purchase of book stock.

Grants for the development of the library service are funded from the national lottery surplus and are being maintained at as high a level as possible consistent with other demands.

Library authorities were required last year to prepare library development programmes in accordance with guidelines issued by my Department. These programmes will help to form a framework for the future development of the library service.