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

Like the Deputy, I am a big fan of the libraries. They do absolutely fantastic work. The image some of us used to have of libraries as a stuff, boring place is well gone. Libraries, as we know, are a hive of activity for all the community. You have young and old people going in who learn computer skills and take language classes. There are book clubs which are a great way to meet people. There is a big focus on hosting heritage events in our libraries now and there is also a big cultural offering. The libraries are at the centre of culture night, as the Deputy will know.

Between the library capital programme and the rural regeneration fund together, €86 million has been invested in major library capital projects in recent years. It is not that long ago since I was in Kinsale where they have done a great job with a new library in what was an old mill. It was a €4.8 million project which absolutely transformed that whole area and brought it back to use. I will come back on the Deputy’s local place in a moment.

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