Written answer
Library Projects
The Minister said Cork City Council is responsible for Mahon library services, no temporary-site proposal was received, and current capital funding is fully committed.
4121. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he has received a proposal from Cork City Council for funding of a temporary location for a new library in the Mahon Blackrock area as an interim measure before the delivery of a permanent library; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59968/26]
Comment on this
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, is primarily a matter for Cork City Council and, as Minister, I have no role in the selection or approval of temporary library locations and my department has not received a proposal from Cork City Council in that regard.
As you will be aware, the Libraries Capital Programme for the period 2023-2027 was announced in April 2024. I am advised that Cork City Council did not submit a proposal for a library project in Mahon at that time and the programme is now fully committed. However, my Department will be developing a successor Libraries Capital Programme to the 2023-2027 programme, and all Local Authorities will be advised to submit their applications in due course. It is not anticipated that temporary locations would form part of funding considerations under a new programme.