Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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927. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she plans to provide a library in Ratoath, County Meath; and if she will provide funding should a site be identified. [9913/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The delivery of public library services, including the provision of library premises, is a matter for each local authority in accordance with the Local Government Act, 2001. Accordingly, the delivery of library services in Ratoath is primarily a matter for Meath County Council.

My Department funds a Libraries Capital Programme 2016 – 2022,  which is currently fully committed. However, Meath County Council may wish to explore other funding sources such as the

Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), which is administered by my Department, or the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), which is administered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. 

Meath County Council is required to consult with my department and the Local Government Management Agency prior to the development of plans for a new public library in Ratoath. They will then be requested to submit a proposal to my department for technical assessment to ensure that the project complies with the 'Public Library National Standards and Benchmarks' which guides the development of the public library service.