Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)
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I raise the issue of the public library in my parish of Gaoth Dobhair in County Donegal. I have an association with the library. I borrowed a number of books when I was approximately 11 and one of them was responsible for my ending up in this House. The book inspired me or led me to dig a little deeper into the history of our country.

On 23 June last year, the parish of Gaoth Dobhair was subject to flash flooding. The library was housed in the old chapel in an area of historic significance. A river used to run through the area. There was flooding in the chapel in the 1800s and a number of people died in the parish. The river burst its banks as a result of the flash flooding last summer and the whole library was submerged in water. Every single book was damaged and it was a terrible scene. I was present with other public representatives and the county manager, county librarian and staff. We walked through the flooded area in our wellingtons and were trampling on books. Anybody who meets a librarian or somebody who loves books will realise what it is like to stand on books piled four deep. Included were Patrick McGill's books, some of which were autographed first editions. They were completely ruined and it was heartbreaking.

On leaving the old chapel, I turned to the county manager and said this cloud needs to have a silver lining. The silver lining is that there was a project earmarked for Gaoth Dobhair. The construction is nearly completed. One third of the building, the ground floor, has been occupied in recent weeks by the naíonlann, the preschool and play school. The other part of the bottom floor of the project at Aislann Ghaoth Dobhair was supposed to house the library but, because of financial difficulties, the project was put in cold storage. Now that Gaoth Dobhair parish does not have a library and that flooding and other acts of God have damaged and taken away the old library, I believe Aislann Ghaoth Dobhair is the proper place to complete the project.

Having spoken to officials in the Department and in the council, I have learned approximately €500,000 in capital funding will be required to complete the area earmarked for the library. I have been in it and walked around it with those responsible for the building. It is a fantastic place. What better place could one locate the library than where there are already preschool children? It is most opportune to have them surrounded by books on the same floor.

I understand an application was made by Donegal County Council as long ago as September. From liaising with officials I understand a decision is imminent. The project will cost approximately €500,000 in capital funding and further funds will be required to restock and refit the facility. There will be a need for co-funding from Donegal County Council. Last week Donegal County Council earmarked in its three-year capital programme co-funding for the project. We hope there will be some good news for the parish of Gaoth Dobhair such that there will be a silver lining in the cloud that destroyed our library on 23 June last year. I hope the Minister of State will have some good news for us.

Seán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Senator for raising this matter. I understand Donegal County Council has been in regular contact with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government on this matter. Donegal County Council operated a small public library in Gaoth Dobhair until it sustained extensive flooding on 23 June 2009. The library was housed in the old chapel in Derrybeg which is owned by the local parish. The council had, prior to the flood, entered into discussions with Údarás na Gaeltachta in regard to the provision of a library as a part of the Aislann Ghaoth Dobhair development at Páirc Ghnó Ghaoth Dobhair.

Donegal County Council had not placed Gaoth Dobhair on its priority list for funding which was submitted in 2008. Its priorities were Donegal town, the administrative centre, Ballybofey-Stranorlar and the central library enhancement, Donegal. Unfortunately, it was not possible to allocate funds to Donegal County Council for the Donegal town project under the 2009-10 capital programme owing to the high level of competing demands on the capital funds available. Notably, however, Leabharlann Phobail Ghaoth Dobhair did not feature in Donegal County Council's stated library development priorities for future consideration by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

I understand the council, in correspondence to the Department, has indicated that the opportunity now exists to develop a state-of-the-art facility which will serve as a resource for Gaoth Dobhair and the broader west Donegal Gaeltacht region. It is intended that the ground floor will incorporate a public library, exhibition space and a children's area with preschool, after-school, family and language supports and other facilities. The second floor will house five to ten business innovation units and the third floor will be available as office accommodation. Part of the attraction of the building to the library service is that most of the children in the parish will use it along with their parents and carers. There is a new outdoor playground just opposite.

Branching Out - Future Directions, the policy document that sets out a redefined vision for the public library service, was launched in 2008. One of its main recommendations was for a multi-annual capital programme for public libraries. On foot of this, approval for a two-year capital programme for public libraries from 2009 to 2010 was given in April 2009. I understand the Department hopes to be in a position to announce a new public library capital programme for 2010 and 2011 soon.

Based on the Department's present budget allocations, it is hoped that approximately €9 million will be available to fund library capital projects throughout the country. While I understand the council has not indicated any change to its list of priorities for the capital programme, assistance to Donegal County Council towards capital expenditure on Gaoth Dobhair library is under consideration as part of that programme. The Department must consider any funding provision for Gaoth Dobhair on the basis of the existing allocation rather than on the basis of there being additional or exceptional funding available.

Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister of State for the response. An announcement will be made very shortly. I have been discussing the matter with departmental and council officials. I understand the council fully supports the need for the library which, as the Minister of State said correctly in his reply, is not just for Gaoth Dobhair but for the wider Gaeltacht region. The proposal fits in well with the Government's 20-year strategy. I hope there will be a successful outcome to the Department's considerations.