Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

343. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she will continue to support, update and expand public libraries in the future including incorporating the use of modern technology; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40901/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The provision of library services is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001. Notwithstanding this, investing in our library service is a key priority for me as Minister and this is reflected in the new Public Library Strategy 'The Library is the Place', which I launched in July last year at the official opening of the new Portlaoise library. The Strategy recognises that public libraries are at the heart of our communities and my Department provides a wide range of funding to support the library service.

To date in 2024, I have announced a new Libraries Capital Programme, which will support a major investment of €22.6m in 11 state-of-the-art library infrastructure projects and a further €2.6m in 12 next generation mobile library vehicles. The previous Libraries Capital Programme invested approximately €29m to support 17 infrastructure projects, the My Open Library service and a Small Scale Capital Works programme from 2016 to 2022.

In May of this year, I announced Rural Regeneration Development Funding of €164m to support 30 regeneration projects in rural towns and villages. This funding includes approval of over €28m for the provision of three new library facilities in Ballyhaunis, Kingscourt and Edenderry. This will bring to €98.8m the total Rural Regeneration Development Funding approved for the development and delivery of library projects across rural Ireland.

My Department will also provide funding of almost €741,900 this year, as a contribution to support local authorities in leasing buildings for the provision of public library services.

In addition, last November, I announced funding of €1.3m for the provision of new ICT equipment in public libraries. This investment enables the use of modern technology through the delivery of 1,685 devices, including PCs, laptops and tablets, which support the Public Library Strategy commitment to provide up-to-date ICT infrastructure to make our public libraries more accessible and digitally inclusive.

In July 2022, I announced funding of over €3.1m to support the provision of the My Open Library service in 17 new branches and the upgrade of the service in 29 existing branches. This investment continues to be rolled out.