Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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18. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an update on a library project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17472/26]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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The provision of library services is primarily a matter for local authorities, in their capacity as library authorities, under the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, the funding and delivery of the library project referred to is primarily a matter for the relevant local authority, in this case Cork City Council.

I am informed by Cork City Council that the library project at Mayfield is categorised as a priority project in the Council’s Development Plan 2022-2028. I am further advised that the Part 8 planning application, as per the requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), was approved by Councillors in October 2024, allowing the proposal to be progressed through the standard planning approval process.

My department’s Libraries Capital Programme 2023 – 2027 is now fully committed and will invest €22.6m in 11 state-of-the-art infrastructure projects and €2.6m in 12 next generation mobile library vehicles. Cork City Council’s application under the Libraries Capital Programme 2023 -2027 in respect of Mayfield Library was unsuccessful. One of the key factors in the failure of this project to secure funding was the lack of progress regarding planning approval at the time.

However, I wish to advise the House that my department will commence planning for the next iteration of the Libraries Capital Programme and a successor strategy to our current National Library Strategy later this year. With Part 8 approval secured for Mayfield library, the project is now positioned to provide a modern multi-use facility. This places the Mayfield development in a strong position to compete for future funding opportunities as they arise.