Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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516. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding will be provided for a new library (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27556/18]

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 Dingle is primarily a matter for Kerry County Council.

My Department funds a Libraries Capital Investment Programme that will invest some €23 m 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 in 2015. Dingle Library was not submitted as a priority by Kerry County Council at that time and could not be considered for funding under the programme.

In January 2018, my Department received a proposal from Kerry County Council seeking funding for a new library in Dingle. While the current libraries capital programme is currently fully committed, funding for the new library could be considered were additional funds to become available.