Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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704. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the roll out of the libraries programme; the progress to date in respect of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43519/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department's Libraries Capital Programme provides for an investment of some €29 million in 18 major projects, the My Open Libraryinitiative, and a Small Scale Capital Works Programme, between 2016 and 2022.

Three major developments have already been completed under the programme with Kevin Street Library (Dublin) opening in 2018, Athy Library (Kildare) opening in 2019 and North Clondalkin Library (South Dublin) in December 2020. Construction is nearing completion on both Edgeworthstown Library and Wicklow Town Library and they are due to open in early 2021. Construction has also commenced on Ennis Library, Portlaoise Library and Monaghan Library.

Funding has been provided under the Programme for mobile libraries in Kerry and Wexford and for a new schools library van in Tipperary.

The My Open Library initiative continues to be rolled out with funding approved for the service in 59 public libraries. To date the service is operational, subject to COVID 19 restrictions, in 22 branches and it is expected to be available in 17 more in the coming months.

In September, I approved €3m for a Small Scale Capital Works Programme that is providing funding for upgrades and renovations in 113 libraries around the country.

To date, just over €17 million has been paid out under the Libraries Capital Programme and I expect local authorities to continue to make good progress in 2021.