Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Cork City Council submitted an application for the libraries capital programme funding for the extension and refurbishment of the Frank O'Connor Library in Mayfield. This project is a joint development with St. Joseph's Community Centre. It is a priority project for the council. The project is being progressed through my Department's four-stage capital management process. This ensures that the project complies with the public library national standards of benchmarks, which guide the development of the public library service.

There is a wonderful library in Kinsale and I hope to go down to open it shortly. It is a fantastic facility. I agree with the Deputy that there is nothing like a library. It is much more than books now; it is a hub in the community. That is why a considerable amount from the RRDF has been allocated to upgrade old derelict buildings and bring them back into 21st century use. What better use than as a library? It is so much more and so much part of the community. It is an opportunity for communities to come in and meet the library staff. Like the Deputy, I cannot speak highly enough of the library services.

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