John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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2589. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current progress and eventual timeline for the provision of grant support for a library (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20322/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Carlow County Council submitted an application to my Department for funding in respect of Carlow Central Library in August 2020. However, as the Libraries Capital Programme 2016 - 2021 is fully committed, the Council were advised to consider making an application for funding to the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) which is administered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Carlow County Council were also requested to simultaneously submit their application to my Department for technical assessment of the proposed new library which is a requirement under the Four Stage Capital Management Process, to ensure that the Standards and Benchmarks for public libraries are being adhered to. This is the practice for all new library projects, including URDF-funded library projects. My Department issued Stage 1 approval-in-principle in respect of the Standards and Benchmarks for public libraries on 18 December 2020 and the Council submitted a Stage 2 application on 20 April 2021, which will now be considered.