Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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37. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will consider applications from rural communities who wish to convert their derelict buildings, schools or other old buildings into rural community libraries and study places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68384/25]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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The provision of library services, including the provision of buildings for libraries, 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'. The Strategy focuses on strengthening public libraries as multi-purpose social and educational spaces.

The Libraries Capital Programme 2023-2027 is investing €22.6m in 11 state-of-the-art library infrastructure projects based on applications submitted by local authorities.

My department administers the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) which is a major capital investment programme to support large-scale, ambitious projects that have the potential to revitalise rural towns and villages in line with the Town Centre First Policy. The scheme supports regeneration to drive greater economic activity and footfall; address vacancy and dereliction; ensure the reuse of heritage and other existing buildings and provide the necessary facilities and infrastructure.

Funding under the RRDF is allocated to local authorities and other State-funded bodies, who take the lead role in individual projects. To date, RRDF has allocated over €613 million for 273 projects across Ireland. This funding includes the development of several public libraries, including Kinsale, Co. Cork, Trim, Co. Meath, Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan, Virginia, Co. Cavan and Boyle, Co. Roscommon.

Our Rural Future, the Government's Rural Development Policy, also recognises the opportunity for rural rejuvenation that remote working presents. It commits to establishing a comprehensive and integrated national network of 400 remote working hubs by the end of 2025. The Connected Hubs online platform was launched in May 2021 and is funded by my department. As of the 24th of November, there are 401 hubs onboarded to the Connected Hubs platform, many of which are housed in previously vacant or derelict buildings.

I would encourage rural community groups seeking to convert derelict buildings to engage with their local authority in the first instance.