Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I will raise an issue with the Minister briefly. It relates to her comments regarding the library in Kilkenny and to Deputy Ó Cathasaigh’s comments regarding what is happening in Tramore. A number of libraries around the country have additional spaces that are probably not being utilised in the best way possible. The advantage in using such spaces is that it brings people over the library’s threshold and they see what is happening in the library, which is different now compared with what happened there historically. It would be worthwhile for the Minister’s Department to write to each of the local authorities asking them to explore how there could be greater public use of spare room capacity. It is irrelevant what that use is, be it for knitting or sewing. It is just important that using the capacity brings people, and potentially new customers, over the threshold of the library. There is a positive impact in terms of well-being. Since Covid in particular, bringing people together is a positive, regardless of whether it is for flower arranging, men’s clubs or whatever. Will the Minister’s Department write to each of the local authorities and ask them to explore the greater utilisation of these public rooms for a wider range of activities?