Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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614. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the project under the library capital of Carlow town library, including the redevelopment of presentation buildings to include a new public library, culture, civic and learning space in Carlow town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47216/22]

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.

Carlow County Council submitted an application to my department in August 2020 for funding for the redevelopment of the Presentation Buildings to include a new public library, culture, civic and learning space. The Libraries Capital Programme was fully allocated at that time and Carlow County Council were advised to consider making an application for funding under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) which is administered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This funding was established to support sustainable development, through the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland's five cities and other large towns, such as Carlow Town.

Carlow County Council were also requested to simultaneously progress the project through my department's Four Stage Capital Management Process. This is standard practice for all new library projects, including URDF-funded library projects to ensure that they are technically assessed and comply with the Public Spending Code and the Capital Works Management Framework.

My Department has been liaising with Carlow County Council in progressing the Presentation Building Regeneration Project through the Four Stage Capital Management Process. My Department issued a Stage 3 Approval letter on 17 August 2022 which authorised Carlow County Council to proceed to tender. The letter also advised the Council to ensure that funding had been confirmed for the project in advance of proceeding to tender.