Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and agree it is surprising that Wicklow County Council did not apply earlier for staff funding, as the retirement of the person in Greystones would not have happened overnight and must have come as no surprise. There are questions to be raised in this regard. As Members of this House, we have a responsibility to Ireland's future, present and proud past. Local communities are the true custodians of their local history, and the library service is an essential support to communities. Without professional recording and curating of history, inaccuracies creep in and question marks begin to hang over the authenticity of heritage. Ireland and Wicklow have proud heritages, and the caretaking of that heritage must be supported.

The public library service in Bray is a year older than the Labour Party. The first free library opened its doors to the public in Bray in 1911. That library, on Eglinton Road, still provides a vital service and was joined in the millennium year by the new building in Ballywaltrim, which I was very proud to open as then cathaoirleach of Bray Town Council. In 2000, the library service in Wicklow was preparing for a bright future. Like all public services, it has suffered significantly from the effects of economic mismanagement by the previous Government. Wicklow has already sacrificed 11 library staff to local authority cost saving measures. The service has reached an unacceptable limit. For Wicklow to protect its heritage,librarians must be hired again.

Again, I welcome the Minister's positive response and I am sure he will see what he can do to ensure funding is available. The council has applied for four additional staff for County Wicklow. It is outrageous that somebody was moved from Bray to Greystones because of a retirement. There seemed to be no planning there. In this centenary year the service must be reopened.

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