Question raised over funding for library project in Kildare
Kildare County Council issued a detailed report in relation to the local rep’s query
Funding in relation to one County Kildare library has been queried by a local councillor.
Labour Party Cllr Rupert Heather submitted the question at the latest Celbridge-Leixlip Municipal District, which took place on Friday, July 17 last.
During this meeting, Cllr Heather asked the following question: “Can KCC advise what the allocated funding from the Capital Programme in 2027 (€200,000) and 2028 (€266,669) for the Celbridge Library and Cultural Centre will be used for?”
LENGTHY REPORT
In response, KCC issued a lengthy report to his question.
The report read as follows: “The allocations of €200,000 in 2027 and €266,669 in 2028 are included in the Capital Programme to progress the proposed Celbridge Library and Cultural Centre in accordance with the Infrastructure Guidelines.
“Pending the acquisition of the former Parochial House and associated lands as the preferred site, the project remains at an early stage of development.”
KCC continued: “No central government funding has currently been identified or approved beyond the site acquisition phase, and progression will be dependent on securing future funding and Departmental approvals through the relevant project stages.
“The capital programme allocations are expected to contribute towards match funding, feasibility studies, surveys, design development, planning and statutory processes, specialist consultancy services and the preparation of documentation required to advance the project.
“These indicative allocations will enable KCC to continue progressing the project and position it to avail of future capital funding opportunities as they arise; any future central government funding secured for the project is likely to be subject to a local authority funding contribution.”
KCC concluded: “Accordingly, KCC will be required to provide match funding as part of the overall project financing arrangements.”
EXTRA QUESTIONS
Following this, Cllr Heather asked KCC for ‘clarity on how the money will be spent’.
In addition, Social Democrats Cllr Claire O’Rourke asked KCC if the legal acquisition of the grounds of the Parochial House in Celbridge, which had been earmarked as a future site for the town’s library, had been completed.
This prompted a reply from a representative of KCC who was also in attendance at the meeting.
They said: “I don’t think so, but I think it is almost complete.”
Speaking further on the matter, the rep told the two councillors that KCC applied for funding under the Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund for the project.
“This is currently under review, and we should have word back soon,” they said.
The rep further said that the funds will in turn help KCC to progress the project to the feasibility and consultation stages.
‘THIS IS A LONG-TERM PROJECT’
Moreover, the rep said that, following these stages, it is hoped that the project will progress to the planning and construction stages.
The rep concluded: “That’s as specific as I can be at this point; this is a long-term project and we have to accept that.”
Cllr Heather then spoke again to point out that the grounds of the Parochial House as a potential library site had been raised ‘numerous times before’.
The rep for KCC replied: “Yes, but the costs involved in this type of project will be very high.”
They concluded by asserting to all of the councillors that KCC ‘is committed’ to the library project.
Cllr Heather also told the rep: “By all means, talk to us about this after the meeting.”
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme