Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this matter because it gives me the opportunity to outline the position regarding the provision of public library services in Mahon. The provision of such services is generally a matter for local authorities in accordance with the Local Government Act 2001. This includes responsibility for managing day-to-day operations and staffing, providing services and programming to local communities and providing and maintaining library buildings. Accordingly, the provision of library services in Mahon is a matter, first and foremost, for Cork City Council. The latter currently supports ten public libraries in Cork city, including those in Ballincollig, Glanmire and Blarney, which joined the Cork city network in May following the Cork city and Cork county boundary revision.

While Mahon was served by a mobile library until the vehicle was retired in November 2014, the area has never been served by a dedicated community library. The nearest library to Mahon, which has a population of around 13,000, is in Douglas, just under 4 km away. That said, I am aware that the provision of a library for the south-east ward, to serve the communities of Blackrock-Mahon, remains a priority for Cork City Council. The council intends to develop a library similar to that opened in Hollyhill-Knocknaheeney in 2015. However, finding a suitable site in the area has proven difficult. Cork City Council has explored a number of possible locations for the new library, either as a stand-alone facility or as part of a larger development. This included the former HSE health centre building at Lakelands Crescent. While this site provides generous space and is close to schools, it was deemed unsuitable because it did not have a sufficiently high profile on the street and is not easily accessible from both parts of the peninsula. Cork City Council continues to seek a site for the new library as a priority.

Local authorities invest €150 million a year in local library services and my Department also funds a libraries capital development programme. This programme was launched in January 2016 and I expect it to invest almost €29 million in 19 projects, and the new My Open Library service, over the period to the end of 2022. The programme supports priority proposals submitted by local authorities but all funding under the programme is fully allocated at present. That said, my Department continues to accept and progress proposals through the four-stage library approval process.

My Department has had initial discussions with Cork City Council regarding a new library for Blackrock-Mahon, but, to date, no funding proposal has been submitted.Should Cork City Council submit a proposal, it will be processed through the Department's approval process and will be considered for support should additional capital moneys become available and in the context of other priority proposals submitted to my Department. Alternatively, Cork City Council may wish to consider submitting a proposal for a new library as part of the broader proposal for the regeneration of the Blackrock and Mahon area under the urban regeneration and development fund, which is administered by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.