Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. It is one I have debated several times, as there is some confusion about what lies in store for libraries.

My Department has been in discussions with the Local Government Management Agency, LGMA, and local authorities' chief executives on the introduction of a new library management model as outlined in the report, Managing the Delivery of Effective Library Services. The areas being considered for the new approach include counties Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon, among others. The proposed model seeks to put in place planning and implementation arrangements that will deliver more effective and efficient public libraries, thus securing the delivery of an enhanced quality and range of services and the long-term sustainability of the library service. Moreover, it has been identified as a means of achieving a greater and more equitable standard of library service across all library authorities, rather than the requirement to drive greater cost efficiency. Accordingly, there will be no closure of libraries in County Sligo or any other local authority area as a result of the proposed model. Nor will there be any reduction in the library services available in these areas consequent on the changes we are trying to introduce. Instead of cutting funding and services, the model aims to secure the strategic capacity and scale of operations required to ensure the long-term sustainability of library services in smaller counties such as Sligo. In this regard, the model focuses on enhancing the services available, while safeguarding the role of local representatives and local authorities which will still be responsible for the policies, priorities and budgets of their respective library services.

Libraries are evolving and becoming a focal point for community engagement. As the Senator mentioned, the library service plays a very important role in community life. In addition to what many still perceive to be the traditional preserve of the library, namely, book lending, the local library now provides educational supports, community meeting facilities, study spaces, cultural supports and supports for businesses in terms of research and innovation. It provides a space and a range of services that communities may not otherwise be able to access. We want to build on this, enhance the services available and ensure library services across all local authorities are in the best position to respond to emerging local needs and priorities. To this end, we will continue to engage with the respective local authorities to identify the optimum solution for the counties concerned. An alternative approach that seeks to deliver the same strategic objectives has been submitted for my Department's consideration. We made it clear that we would be willing to consider alternatives. We will work with the local authorities concerned in the coming weeks to explore how this approach might be implemented to achieve the best possible outcome for all concerned.

It is not a question of cutting front-line services; rather, it is about management and making strategic decisions. We want to enhance front-line services. The importance of a library to a community, particularly in smaller towns and villages, is clear to me. Often, it can help communities that run many events. We want to protect that aspect and I am fully behind it. The closure of libraries in County Sligo is not the result of the changes we are introducing; rather, it is down to the local authority's budgetary decisions. I can investigate the matter if the Senator wants me to do so, but the closure is not due to the changes we have requested to be made at this level.