Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022
2015. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the €40,000 allocated to Roscommon County Council for the refurbishment of Strokestown Library has been drawn down; if so, when; if her Department has been advised of an opening date for the library; the reason for the exceptional delay in the library reopening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29709/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 28 September 2020, my Department approved Small Scale Capital Works Programme funding of €40,000 for Roscommon County Council to support the upgrade of windows and flooring in the Strokestown Library. The plans also included a number of changes to the library layout along with the installation of new shelving and furniture to create more usable spaces in the main library and allow for significant expansion of the children’s library space.
Works in Strokestown Library commenced on 27th November 2020 but were delayed due to three issues that were beyond the control of Roscommon County Council.
Firstly, on 8 January 2021 there was a nationwide shutdown of construction activity as part of the national effort to halt the spread of COVID-19, and this resulted in all works on Strokestown Library being paused. Government restrictions were lifted on 4 May 2021 and works resumed immediately with final snagging on the project being completed in September 2021.
Furniture and shelving were delivered to the library in November 2021 but some items of furniture were damaged in transit and required a replacement order. This resulted in final items only being received in February 2022.
Finally, the implementation of a new national library management system during March and April this year caused delays to the processing of the new lending collection for the library. All stock was processed through the new computer system during May and early June and Roscommon County Council have advised me that Strokestown Library reopened to the public on 10th June, followed by an official reopening event on 14 June. In addition to the works carried out, Strokestown Library has also increased its opening hours from 23 hours per week to 28.5 hours per week which will be a very welcome increase in service for patrons.
The funding of €40,000 that was allocated to Roscommon County Council for the refurbishment of Strokestown Library has been fully drawn down.
