Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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2014. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the €155,240 allocated to Roscommon County Council for the refurbishment of Ballaghaderreen Library has been drawn down; if her Department has been advised of an opening date for the library; when she intends to visit the refurbished library; the reason for the delay in the library reopening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29708/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The provision of library services, including the provision of library buildings, is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001.  Accordingly, progress on the works in Ballaghaderreen Library, and the timeline for completing the project is, first and foremost, a matter for Roscommon County Council.  

In September 2020, my Department approved funding of €60,000 for Roscommon County Council for a Small Scale Capital Works Programme project in Ballaghaderreen Library to support an ambitious and transformative programme of works, including the relocation of the children's area into its own dedicated space and the creation of a new dedicated space for young adults/teenagers. Roscommon County Council subsequently approached my Department in March 2021 with a proposal to install the My Open Library service in Ballaghaderreen Library while it was closed to the public, pending the improvement works. My Department recognised this as being a very practical and cost-efficient approach and l was delighted to approve funding of €95,250 in July 2021 for the installation of the My Open Library service in Ballaghaderreen. 

I am advised by Rosccommon County Council that they have conducted a technical assessment of the works that are to be carried out in Ballaghaderreen Library. The local authority has been advised by their engineer that, as the majority of the works are of a mechanical and electrical nature, it would be more efficient and practical for a mechanical and electrical consultant to be appointed to the project. Once appointed, this consultant will then lead a multidisciplinary team to include a conservation expert, and will prepare a scope of works for the project. This will be used to progress the appointment of a contractor to carry out the works. Roscommon County Council have advised that they published a tender on 13 June 2022 seeking the services of a mechanical and electrical consultant and that the closing date for receipt of submissions is 27 June 2022.  

Roscommon County Council acknowledges that Ballaghaderreen Library provides a vital service to the community, but the local authority is obliged to follow procurement guidelines and planning regulations. While the local authority advised that works will commence in Q4 2022, they are fully dedicated to the project and will initiate works sooner if at all possible. 

Roscommon County Council expect the library to re-open in Q2 2023. I currently have no plans to visit the refurbished library but I would hope to include it on my itinerary as soon as is possible after it re-opens.

Due to the project not yet commencing, the local authority has not yet drawn down any of the funding that was approved for this project. 

I am further advised that the mobile library has continued to provide a library service in the town of Ballaghaderreen and, following the monitoring of demand for the service, Roscommon County Council has increased the service from fortnightly to weekly.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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2015. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the €40,000 allocated to Roscommon County Council for the refurbishment of Strokestown Library has been drawn down; if so, when; if her Department has been advised of an opening date for the library; the reason for the exceptional delay in the library reopening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29709/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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On 28 September 2020, my Department approved Small Scale Capital Works Programme funding of €40,000 for Roscommon County Council to support the upgrade of windows and flooring in the Strokestown Library. The plans also included a number of changes to the library layout along with the installation of new shelving and furniture to create more usable spaces in the main library and allow for significant expansion of the children’s library space. 

Works in Strokestown Library commenced on 27th November 2020 but were delayed due to three issues that were beyond the control of Roscommon County Council. 

Firstly, on 8 January 2021 there was a nationwide shutdown of construction activity as part of the national effort to halt the spread of COVID-19, and this resulted in all works on Strokestown Library being paused. Government restrictions were lifted on 4 May 2021 and works resumed immediately with final snagging on the project being completed in September 2021.  

Furniture and shelving were delivered to the library in November 2021 but some items of furniture were damaged in transit and required a replacement order. This resulted in final items only being received in February 2022. 

Finally, the implementation of a new national library management system during March and April this year caused delays to the processing of the new lending collection for the library. All stock was processed through the new computer system during May and early June and Roscommon County Council have advised me that Strokestown Library reopened to the public on 10th June, followed by an official reopening event on 14 June. In addition to the works carried  out,  Strokestown Library has also increased its opening hours from 23 hours per week to 28.5 hours per week which will be a very welcome increase in service for patrons.  

The funding of €40,000 that was allocated to Roscommon County Council for the refurbishment of Strokestown Library has been fully drawn down.