Written answers
Tuesday, 12 December 2023
Department of Rural and Community Development
Library Services
Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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881. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a request has been made by Louth County Council for capital funding to develop the former Dominican Order church on Dominic Street, Drogheda, County Louth, into a local authority library facility; if she will confirm the status of any request that has been made; when a decision will be taken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54442/23]
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, the provision of library services in Drogheda is first and foremost a matter for Louth County Council.
In April of this year, my Department invited all local authorities to submit proposals for the development of public library infrastructure, facilities and mobile library vehicles under the Libraries Capital Programme 2023-2027. Louth County Council submitted a proposal seeking to relocate the existing library located at Stockwell Street, to the former Dominican Order Church on Dominic Street. I understand from the proposal that the proposed design will preserve the unique church features, keep the original character of the building and create a statement community library facility in the centre of the town.
My Department is currently assessing and scoring proposals received, and I look forward to announcing details of the projects that have been approved for funding under the Libraries Capital Programme in early 2024.
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