Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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1165. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will specifically ringfence funding that will enable the construction and delivery of a library in the Mahon, Blackrock, area which has been without a library space for over 30 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61261/25]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, 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 Mahon, Blackrock is primarily a matter for Cork City Council.

In April 2023, my Department invited proposals for funding under the Libraries Capital Programme 2023-2027. I am advised that Cork City Council did not submit a proposal for a library project in Mahon, Blackrock.

In April 2024, the new Libraries Capital Programme for the period 2023-2027 was announced, investing €22.6m in 11 state-of-the-art infrastructure projects and a further €2.6m in 12 next generation mobile library vehicles. As the Programme is now fully committed, there is no scope to ringfence funding to additional projects.

My Department will develop a new Libraries Capital Programme funding call prior to the completion of the 2023-2027 programme. Local authorities will be advised of the call in due course.