Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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466. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if consideration has been given by him to an application by Sligo County Council seeking funding towards the provision of a new library building in Sligo. [3011/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Under Section 78 of the Local Government Act 2001, the provision of premises and facilities in the public library service is a matter for each local authority in its capacity as a library authority.My Department has provided capital funding towards approved refurbishment and renovation, and new library projects carried out by local authorities, subject to availability of resources. In this regard, in 2008 my Department requested Library Authorities to provide details of priorities for library development within their area.

In its response, Sligo County Council ranked Sligo Central library as its main priority, followed by projects at Ballymote and Grange and the provision of a Mobile library vehicle. Grant aid of €670,000 was approved and drawn down in respect of the Ballymote project with the final payment being made in December, 2010.

An application for funding with respect to Sligo Central library was received by my Department in August 2012 with an estimated cost between €4m and €6m.

Available funding for 2013 is expected to be fully committed to ongoing Library projects.