John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 545: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of funding allocated for the provision of a library headquarters for County Kilkenny; the date that Kilkenny County Council was informed of the funding; if plans have been submitted to his Department for approval; if funds have been drawn down to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26869/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The planning and development of library proposals is primarily a matter for each library authority subject to approval by my Department at various stages of a project's development. The Kilkenny Central Library/HQ project was approved under the 1999/2002 Library Capital Programme. Kilkenny County Council submitted Detailed Cost and Design proposals to my Department in 2001 but was asked to clarify a number of issues before approval would issue. The Council subsequently decided not to proceed with the particular proposal. In 2005, Kilkenny County Council informed my Department that it was still fully committed to the provision of a library in Kilkenny and was awaiting identification of a suitable site. Estimated grant aid of €5.25 million has been earmarked for this project.