Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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28. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will report on plans for a new location for the Limerick city centre library. [50086/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department funds a Libraries Capital Programme that is investing a total of €29m in 17 projects, as well as the My Open Library service and a Small Scale Capital Works programme, over the period between 2016 and 2022. This programme was developed on the basis of priority proposals submitted by local authorities. Limerick City Library was submitted as a priority by Limerick City and County Council and was allocated €2m under the Libraries Capital Programme.

My Department issued a Stage 1 Approvalunder its Four Stage Capital Management Process to Limerick City and County Council in February 2019 for the development of the new city library as part of the Opera Site development at One Opera Square. My Department met with Limerick City and County Council in April 2021 to discuss plans for the project and I am aware that they are currently working towards submitting a Stage 2application.

The delivery of public library services, including the provision of library premises, is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act, 2001. Accordingly, the delivery of library services in Limerick City is primarily a matter for Limerick City and County Council. However, my Department will continue to work with and support Limerick City and County Council to progress this project.