HOW?

Over the last five years Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has provided on average about €2million for the construction of each new library. [1]

The Department grant-aids the construction and refurbishment of public libraries through Exchequer funding.

The Dept revealed in June 2008 that funding will be available to construct new libraries in the publication Branching Out – Future Directions and according to the Dept “Libraries play an important community role as centres of knowledge, information and culture.”

It is likely that the Dept would pay about 75% of the cost a new building and about 50% of the stock and equipment costs. This means that Mayo County Council will only have to stump up 25% of the cost for a new library for Westport.

The balance will be met by Mayo County Council (as in the case of Ballina and the newer branches). Mayo County Council committed itself to providing a new library for Westport in the County Development Plan 2003-2008.[2]
[1] Dept of the Environment http://www.environ.ie/

[2] Mayo County Council Plan 2003-2008