Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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691. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will be providing updated guidelines to public libraries in respect of the use of library buildings for study and reading given the need for the use of such facilities by further and higher education students. [55731/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to advise the Deputy that, as announced by the Government on 30 August 2021 in its plan for the next phase of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, “COVID-19: Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting”, certain activities in libraries were allowed to resume from 20 September. I can confirm that this includes the provision of study and reading spaces, with appropriate protective measures in place.

However, the provision of public library services is a matter for each local authority in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001 and there may be certain branches where it is currently not possible to offer reading or study spaces, due to space restrictions or staffing issues.

The ongoing operation of public libraries will be kept under review to ensure that they are in line with prevailing public health guidelines.