Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Under the Local Government Act 2001, each local authority is deemed to be a library authority and it is a matter for each local authority to prioritise its actions in terms of delivering library facilities, including premises in its catchment area. Under section 78 of the Act, a library authority may take such measures, engage in such activities or do such things in accordance with law, including the incurring of expenditure, for the provision of library services as it considers necessary or desirable. A library authority may, in particular, arrange for the provision of premises and facilities, including mobile facilities, for the library service, as it considers appropriate.

In 2008, my Department requested library authorities to provide details of priorities for library development within their.area. In its response, Galway County Council ranked a new branch library in Tuam branch as its main priority, followed by projects at Ballinasloe, the replacement of a mobile library and two delivery vans, and fit-out of a new branch to be constructed at Mountbellew . In 2010, my Department provided funding of ¤460,000 to Galway County Council towards the new Tuam branch library and a further ¤250,000 for a new mobile library. In 2011, I announced a new library capital programme to support the continued development of the library service in Ireland within budgetary constraints through the local authorities.

Following detailed consideration of the various library priorities communicated to my Department, I included the offer of grant aid in 2011 to Galway County Council of ¤250,000 or 75% of eligible costs towards the Ballinasloe library project. The funding was provided to allow the council to engage consultants and a design team to prepare this project for Part 8 planning. Of this grant offer, ¤115,297.87 was drawn down by the local authority. Due to the constraints on funding provision, it was not possible to offer grant assistance beyond 2011.

Galway County Council's proposal is to refurbish and develop the former Convent of Mercy building and adjoining chapel in Ballinasloe for use as a branch library. The estimated total cost of the project is ¤3.252 million. The council engaged consultants and work proceeded on a detailed design for the project. A planning application for the project was submitted to Ballinasloe Town Council in mid-2012. It is open to the local authority to proceed with this project using its own resources, which would be a good way for it to demonstrate its commitment to the project. Available funding for 2013 of ¤5 million is expected to be fully committed to ongoing library projects. Since 1999, my Department has provided ¤123.5 million towards the development of infrastructure and stocking of the library service in Ireland, including the projects I mentioned in east Galway. There is no doubt that this has helped local authorities to develop a good library infrastructure in the country and to provide excellent library services to the public from junior infants to college students and from preschool children to senior citizens. I regret that the additional resources the Senator is requesting are not available from central funds to advance the Ballinasloe project.