Preasráiteas: Fógraíonn na hAirí Buttimer agus Calleary maoiniú €3 mhilliún le haghaidh infheistíochta caipitil spriocdhírithe ar scála beag do leabharlanna poiblí
Press Release
Friday, 26 June 2026
Ministers Buttimer and Calleary announce €3 million in funding for targeted small-scale capital investment for public libraries
- This funding will support our public libraries through four key measures: sensory equipment and facilities; accessibility upgrades; ICT and broadband speed enhancements; and upgrade of furniture and equipment
- These enhancements will ensure our public libraries remain vibrant, modern and accessible spaces where every member of the community can connect, learn and thrive
Minister of State with special responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD, and Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, have today (Friday, 26 June 2026) announced funding of just over €3 million for the provision of equipment and facilities for public libraries across the country.
These include sensory equipment, accessibility infrastructure, ICT hardware upgrades to increase broadband speed, and modern furniture and operational equipment. Delivered under the Libraries Capital Programme, this investment will ensure our public libraries become even more inclusive and accessible and develop further as digitally connected hubs.
Making the announcement, Minister of State Buttimer said:
“Having visited many libraries across Ireland, I know first-hand that they are a true cornerstone of our local communities. I am delighted that this targeted funding will assist them in advancing their accessibility, sensory spaces and broadband speeds, ensuring they can continue to deliver a vital, modern service to everyone in their communities.”
Minister Calleary added:
“Libraries are the vibrant heart of our communities, serving as trusted spaces where people of all ages and backgrounds can connect, learn, and grow together. I am delighted to announce this funding, which fulfils our Programme for Government Commitment to deliver inclusive, sensory spaces in our libraries. By boosting digital inclusion and community connection, this investment also drives our national library strategy, ‘The Library is the Place’.”
Minister of State Buttimer concluded:
“Having visited many libraries across Ireland, I know first-hand that they are a true cornerstone of our local communities. I am delighted that this targeted funding will assist them in advancing their accessibility, sensory spaces and broadband speeds, ensuring they can continue to deliver a vital, modern service to everyone in their communities.”
This targeted investment will help to transform Irish libraries into world-class, inclusive hubs by removing physical, sensory and digital barriers to learning. In addition, the Libraries Capital Programme 2023-2027 is investing €22.6million in 11 state-of-the-art infrastructure projects and a further €2.6million in 12 next-generation mobile library vehicles.
Preasráiteas
Dé hAoine, an 26 Meitheamh 2026
Fógraíonn na hAirí Buttimer agus Calleary maoiniú €3 mhilliún le haghaidh infheistíochta caipitil spriocdhírithe ar scála beag do leabharlanna poiblí
- Tacóidh an maoiniú seo lenár leabharlanna poiblí trí cheithre phríomhbheart: trealamh agus áiseanna céadfacha; uasghráduithe inrochtaineachta; feabhsuithe ar luas TFC agus leathanbhanda; agus uasghrádú troscáin agus trealaimh
- Cinnteoidh na feabhsuithe seo go bhfanfaidh ár leabharlanna poiblí ina spásanna bríomhara, nua-aimseartha agus inrochtana inar féidir le gach ball den phobal nascadh, foghlaim agus rathú
Inniu (Dé hAoine, an 26 Meitheamh 2026) d’fhógair an tAire Stáit le freagracht speisialta as Forbairt Pobail agus Carthanachtaí, Jerry Buttimer TD, agus an tAire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta, Dara Calleary TD, maoiniú níos mó ná €3 mhilliún chun trealamh agus áiseanna a sholáthar do leabharlanna poiblí ar fud na tíre.
Áirítear leis seo trealamh céadfach, bonneagar inrochtaineachta, uasghráduithe crua-earraí TFC chun luas leathanbhanda a mhéadú, agus troscán agus trealamh oibríochtúil nua-aimseartha. Faoi Chlár Caipitil na Leabharlann, cinnteoidh an infheistíocht seo go mbeidh ár leabharlanna poiblí níos cuimsithí agus níos inrochtana fós agus go bhforbróidh siad tuilleadh mar mhoil atá ceangailte go digiteach.
Agus an fógra á dhéanamh aige, dúirt an tAire Stáit Buttimer:
“Tar éis dom cuairt a thabhairt ar go leor leabharlann ar fud na hÉireann, tuigim gur orthu atá ár bpobail áitiúla bunaithe. Tá áthas orm go gcuideoidh an maoiniú spriocdhírithe seo leo a n-inrochtaineacht, a spásanna céadfacha agus a luasanna leathanbhanda a fheabhsú, ag cinntiú gur féidir leo leanúint de sheirbhís ríthábhachtach, nua-aimseartha a sholáthar do gach duine ina bpobail.”
Dúirt an tAire Calleary:
“Is iad na leabharlanna croílár bríomhar ár bpobail, ag feidhmiú mar spásanna iontaofa inar féidir le daoine de gach aois agus cúlra ceangal, foghlaim agus fás le chéile. Tá áthas orm an maoiniú seo a fhógairt, rud a chomhlíonann ár ngealltanas i gclár an Rialtais spásanna céadfacha cuimsitheacha a sholáthar inár leabharlanna. Trí chuimsiú digiteach agus nasc pobail a threisiú, tiomáineann an infheistíocht seo ár straitéis náisiúnta leabharlainne, ‘Is í an Leabharlann an Áit’.”
Mar fhocal scoir, dúirt an tAire Stáit Buttimer:
“Tar éis dom cuairt a thabhairt ar go leor leabharlann ar fud na hÉireann, tuigim gur orthu atá ár bpobail áitiúla bunaithe. Tá áthas orm go gcuideoidh an maoiniú spriocdhírithe seo leo a n-inrochtaineacht, a spásanna céadfacha agus a luasanna leathanbhanda a fheabhsú, ag cinntiú gur féidir leo leanúint de sheirbhís ríthábhachtach, nua-aimseartha a sholáthar do gach duine ina bpobail.”
Leis an infheistíocht spriocdhírithe seo cabhrófar le leabharlanna na hÉireann a chlaochlú ina moil chuimsitheacha den chéad scoth trí bhacainní fisiciúla, céadfacha agus digiteacha ar fhoghlaim a bhaint. Ina theannta sin, faoi Chlár Caipitil na Leabharlann 2023-2027, infheisteofar €22.6 mhilliún in 11 thionscadal bonneagair den chéad scoth agus €2.6 mhilliún breise in 12 fheithicil leabharlainne soghluaiste nua-aimseartha.