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 delivery of library services in the area identified is primarily a matter for Cork City Council.

My department has been informed by Cork City Council that a potential site has been identified in principle for a library in Blackrock Mahon on the grounds of Nagle Community College, on the Avenue De Rennes. I am aware that discussions regarding this site are ongoing between the local authority and Cork Education and Training Board (Cork ETB). Both parties have committed to signing a Memorandum Of Understanding for the project, which will incorporate a youth services element. This is currently with legal representatives to finalise the details of the MOU.

Cork City Council have been advised of the requirement to progress the project through my department's four stage Capital Management Process. I understand that the City Council plan to submit a Stage 1 Application for Approval in Principle for the project to my Department in Quarter 1 2024. This requirement is to ensure that the project complies with the Public Library Standards and Benchmarks, which is the practice for all new public library projects. Costs for this project are currently unknown, as it is in the early stages of planning, but cost estimates will be contained in the Stage 1 Application when it is submitted.