Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of new libraries built since 1997; the number of positions vacant and unfilled; the length of time these positions are vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36606/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The development of the public library service is, in the first instance, a matter for each library authority. Under the Public Library Capital Programme, my Department has grant aided new libraries up to 75% of the capital costs, with expenditure in excess of the grant aid a matter for the relevant local authority. According to information supplied to my Department by local authorities 49 new libraries were provided by them since 1997.

The information requested on the number of positions vacant and unfilled is not available in my Department. Under Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, it is a matter for the manager of each local authority to make such staffing and organisational arrangements as may be necessary for the purposes of carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he/she is responsible.