Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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203. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding will be provided for a new library for Sligo town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22892/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, 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 under the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, the development of a new library in Sligo town is primarily a matter for Sligo County Council.

My Department does fund a Libraries Capital Investment Programme, announced in 2016, that will invest some €23m in 17 or so projects, as well as the My Open Library service, over the period 2016 to 2021.  The programme was developed on the basis of priority proposals submitted by local authorities. Unfortunately, the value of proposals received from local authorities was substantially greater than the funding available to the programme. It was necessary, therefore, to rank proposals and prioritise funding on the basis of an objective assessment of each proposal.

While Sligo Town Library was identified as priority investment for Sligo County Council, it was not ranked high enough to be included in the programme.  Sligo County Council has been advised that the development of Sligo Central Library and all other proposals on hand for funding will be reconsidered should additional capital monies become available.