Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We launched a new public library strategy in July of last year, called “The Library is the Place: Information, Recreation, Inspiration”. I launched it when I was visiting Portlaoise library. An old store – Shaw’s – had been transformed into a beautiful library. It is a fabulous building with loads of rooms, some of which are used as meeting rooms and so on. The strategy recognises that public libraries are at the heart of our communities. The Department provides a wide range of funding to support the library service. We are in constant contact with local authorities, so I have no problem with asking them to see how they can maximise the use of those rooms.

The library staff are amazing. They did a wonderful job during Covid. They kept in touch with people and left books at their doors. They went above and beyond the call of duty, and I have no doubt that they will grasp any opportunity to get more people in, so we are happy to write.