Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 July 2012
466 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the funding allocated to the library service in Donegal County Council for 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34777/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra467 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied that the funding allocated to the library service in Donegal County Council is adequate to meet the staffing requirements of the library service given the reduction in staff from 51 in 2009 to 38 at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34778/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 466 and 467 together.
Day to day operations, including staffing levels, in the public library service are a matter for each local authority in its capacity as a library authority under Section 78 of the Local Government Act 2001.
Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each City and County Manager is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. Under the terms of the on-going moratorium each local authority must seek sanction from my Department to fill any vacancies. My Department works closely with local authorities to ensure that critical posts are filled while overall numbers reductions are achieved in line with budgetary and employment control constraints.
My Department provides capital funding towards approved refurbishment and renovation, and new library projects carried out by local authorities, subject to availability of resources.
Under the Library Capital Programme 2010-2011, €600,000 was provided by my Department towards the new Leabharlann Phobail Ghaoth Dobhair. Under the Library Capital Programme 2012, €5 million is fully committed towards previously approved library projects and there are no additional funds available to me.
The library service provides very valuable social, educational and cultural services to communities around the country and my Department will continue to work with local authorities to ensure that every effort is made to continue the delivery of appropriate services within budgetary constraints.
