Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 528: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the budget allocated for local authority libraries; the strategic plans that exist for local authority libraries going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8728/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Funding of the operation of the Local Authority Public Library Service is a matter for individual local authorities. In addition to local authority funding, grants are provided by my Department to assist in development of the service. The Government has provided some €90.2 million, through my Department, towards the local authority public library service over the years 1997 to 2006. The provision in my Department's Vote in 2007 for this purpose is €14.675 million.

The library service was the subject of a major review in 1997/1998, which resulted in the publication of Branching Out: A New Public Library Service in 1998. This report, which was approved by Government, put forward a series of recommendations designed to equip the public library service for the 21st Century. A full review of Branching Out, in the light of Ireland's current economic and social climate, is currently nearing completion. On the basis of this review, I will shortly be publishing an updated policy and vision for the public library service over the next 6 years.