Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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6. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if further progress has been made with regard to the purchase and location of a new library for Dunleer, County Louth, given the large increase in local population and the welcome increase in the numbers attending the current facility over the past number of years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62718/22]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I very much welcome the decision by the Department to build a new library in Dunleer. I welcome the decision of the Minister working with the county council. The former Bank of Ireland branch will be occupied by a new and, I hope, expanded library for the community. It is badly needed. I ask the Minister to expand on this.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy O'Dowd for raising this matter. The Department is responsible for policy on public libraries. The provision of library services, including the provision of library buildings, is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, the development of a new public library in Dunleer is, first and foremost, a matter for Louth County Council. I understand that Louth County Council has been exploring options for the improvement of library services in Dunleer as a result of increased usage and membership. However, no specific proposals in this regard have been received by the Department from the council.

All buildings used for the provision of public library services are required to comply with the requirements of the Department's public library standards and benchmarks, including the requirement that the minimum size for a new branch serving a population of 3,000 within the catchment area should be at least 500 sq. m, and that new public library branches should be centrally and prominently located and offer a multifunctional meeting, event and study space. All proposals for new public libraries are also required to be progressed through the Department's four-stage capital management process.

My Department is working with the Local Government Management Agency's library and development unit to finalise a new strategy for the development of our public libraries. It is also planned to launch a new libraries capital plan next year. In that context, my Department looks forward to engaging with Louth County Council on this.

The Deputy will, of course, be delighted because this is a matter he has raised with me on several occasions. One of the buildings announced yesterday was an old bank building in Dunleer, which my Department provided funding for the local authority to purchase. I do not see any reason why that would not be a perfect building in due course. It may require extra work and probably needs to be made bigger but I am sure the Deputy will be talking to Louth County Council about that.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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The Minister has it exactly right. The Department's policy of using vacant buildings in small rural towns, such as Dunleer, a growing rural town, will make a significant difference and show increasing confidence in the community. They already have a library service in what was the old railway station. Hopefully, when they move out of there and into the new library, which I appreciate will take some time, we will have a new railway station in Dunleer, a town that is rapidly expanding. There was further news there in relation to land owned by the local authority that may be used for additional housing. Dunleer is a vibrant community and its sustainable energy community would be directly opposite in the new market house. Eugene Conlan is an active community leader there. The whole community is very happy with this proposal. By working with people like Martin Naughton, who is a great supporter of community development in County Louth and Dunleer in particular, we could have a fantastic library in Dunleer and a new railway station. I know the latter is not the Minister's responsibility but I will be pushing for that later.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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It was great that under the building acquisitions measure, some €300,000 was approved for Louth County Council to purchase the old Bank of Ireland building in Dunleer. Funding under the measure is for the purchase of derelict and vacant buildings. That money is only for the purchase of buildings, but if Louth County Council decides to develop the building into a library - the Deputy knows better than I do as he has raised this with me on several occasions - the council will need to make it a bit bigger. The door will be open in my Department in terms of supporting the council through the libraries fund, which amounts to approximately €29 million and supports 17 projects, the My Open Library initiative and a smaller-scale capital works programme.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Louth County Council confirmed in August that it is exploring that option, which is very important. It is through local authorities and Departments working together and bringing on board the community that they will restore vibrancy and dynamism to villages and towns that had lost it in the past. The Minister's Department has been particularly active in looking after smaller towns with a population under 10,000. This is a good start to a new Dunleer. The need for the new railway station, which may be under the remit of a different Department, is absolutely essential. The fact that the library will be leaving its current building will, therefore, provide a vacant space for more modern commuter use into the future.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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It is expected a call for proposals for the new libraries capital programme will be issued in the new year. That will run from 2023 to 2027. I would say to the Deputy to get Louth County Council looking at this. It should get the finger out and get the plans in because the call will be issued. I am happy to support the council in any way I can but it will have to come from the council. The Deputy is very fortunate to have people of the calibre and generosity of Martin and Carmel Naughton.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Absolutely.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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When I was the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, they were great contributors to the arts. What they contributed to this country in philanthropic support has been outstanding. The Deputy has a good man in his corner there. I have no doubt he will see the railway station, even though it is not under the remit of my Department, there very soon.