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

Many things were in anticipation as far back as 2007. We were in a different financial and economic climate at that time and we have had to make considerable adjustments to the capital and current expenditure programmes of the State to meet our troika requirements. Unfortunately, the library programme is not immune to that. I am delighted that Ballinasloe Town Council is interested in progressing the project and I understand it has considerable capital resources in its account. It is open to a local authority to examine the feasibility of proceeding with a project out of its own resources. The ¤5 million that will be spent through the library programme this year is for ongoing projects. No new project will commence or be approved in any part of the country in 2013.