Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I reiterate the commitment of my Department and its Ministers to local authorities and the public library service, including its future development. A sum similar to the €143.4 million allocated for libraries in 2014 will be allocated in 2015 to a very valuable service. It is important that the service has a strategy in Opportunities for All. The strategy recognises the continuing need for this community service and space to be available in as many centres of population as is feasible. My Department and the local authorities that deliver the service are committed to the implementation of the strategy.

The Deputy will agree that a comprehensive, varied, well maintained and up-to-date library collection is at the heart of what the service offers the public. It is instrumental in supporting literacy, developing life skills and social cohesion and enabling lifelong learning. Before 2008, many local authorities had achieved a level of spend on library stock of €3.77 per capitaor were very close to achieving it. Owing the downturn in the economy and a lack of available funding, it was not possible for local authorities to maintain the book funds at the pre-existing level. In recognition of the importance of restoring these funding levels, Opportunities for All again sets out a per capitastock fund target of €3.77 for each local authority. Local authorities and my Department are working to achieve this figure.

I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. The library service is an essential and valuable one at the heart of rural and urban communities across the State. I reiterate the commitment to maintaining the sustainability and viability of the front-line library service and keeping the book stock up to date into the future.

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