Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD, have announced that South Dublin Libraries are to receive €51,480 in funding through the 2020 Dormant Accounts Fund.
The funding awarded to South Dublin Libraries will be used across seven programmes or initiatives, including the Red Line Book Festival, music camps for young people in North Clondalkin and the ‘Voices of Balgaddy’ writing project. Older people, families with low literacy skills and disadvantaged and marginalised groups nationwide are to benefit from the overall funding package of €713,500 that will be channelled through the country’s libraries. Some €650,000 will be provided from the 2020 Dormant Accounts Action Plan and €63,500 will be provided from Libraries funding, which is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development. The money granted through the Dormant Accounts Fund has a specific focus and is aimed at groups such as the elderly, the Traveller Community, those with disabilities and people living in Direct Provision.
Speaking on the funding awarded to South Dublin Libraries, Cllr Ed O’Brien, Mayor of South Dublin County, said: “I very much welcome this funding from the government for South Dublin Libraries and the inspiring programmes they have planned. I look forward to launching the History All Around Us exhibition in Ballyroan Library, hearing the stories that come out of the Voices of Balgaddy project and seeing how each programme progresses in the near future.”
Announcing the funding for programmes around the country, Minister Humphreys said, “This funding will have real positive benefits for so many people. I am delighted that this funding has been allocated to libraries across the country. The last few months have been very difficult and any funding which helps our libraries to reach out and engage with communities is most welcome.”
Also welcoming the funding, Minister O’Brien said, “I am delighted to approve these projects under the 2020 Dormant Accounts Action Plan. The projects are diverse in nature and target a multiplicity of groups including Travellers, New Irish, residents of Direct Provision Centres, the elderly who have experienced isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, autism, deaf and blind communities, and people with learning differences such as dyslexia. This funding is building on the excellent projects which were delivered last year and will increase the public library capacity to continue that great work of fostering community well-being and building community cohesion.”
