Shane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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15. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if will he engage with Meath County Council to fund the plans for the development of the proposed library in Ballivor, County Meath, and support the community to realise these plans drafted nearly ten years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2016/17]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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The provision of premises and facilities in the public library service is generally a matter for each local authority in its capacity as a library authority. Accordingly, the development of the proposed library in Ballivor is primarily a matter for Meath County Council.

In January 2016, my Department announced a new Libraries Capital Investment Programme for the period 2016-2021 to support the development of priority capital projects submitted by local authorities. The programme was developed on the basis of priority proposals submitted by local authorities and will invest €22m in 16 or so projects as well as 23 pilot sites for My Open Libraries over its lifetime. The development of Ballivor library was not submitted as a priority by Meath County Council and, accordingly, was not considered for funding as part of the capital programme.