Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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99. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to further expand the public library network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38063/25]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government contains a commitment to reform and strengthen local government, to further support it in its responsibility for the delivery of many essential services including libraries. The provision of library services is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001.

Investing in our library network is a key priority for my Department and this is reflected in the National Public Library Strategy 2023-2027 ‘The Library is the Place', which was launched in July 2023. The Strategy, which focuses on strengthening public libraries as multi-purpose social and educational spaces, is a five-year plan containing 66 actions to enhance library services.

The Libraries Capital Programme 2023-2027 is investing €22.6m in 11 state-of-the-art library infrastructure projects and a further €2.6m in 12 next generation mobile library vehicles. I am delighted that one of those infrastructure projects, the new 1300sqm library in Ballyogan, opened in March 2025. This expands our public library network to the west of County Dublin, which has never had library services before.

In May 2024, funding of circa €28m was announced under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) to support three regeneration projects that include new library facilities. A fourth call for Category 2 RRDF applications opened in October 2024. These applications are currently being assessed and I hope to announce details of the successful projects in Quarter 3 2025.

The My Open Library service is now available in 55 branches and the Programme for Government contains a commitment to triple this service and to enhance library sensory spaces for inclusive community use.