Funding of €27,226 for library supports in Cavan and Monaghan

Funding of €550,000 has been announced nationally for library supports, of which €27,226.22 will be allocated to Cavan and Monaghan public libraries.

The funding, under the Dormant Accounts Action Plan, will assist public libraries in reaching out to people with disabilities and other marginalised groups.

In Cavan, €14,270.72 has been allocated for furniture and equipment to support people with physical disabilities and mobility needs, which will see four height adjustable tables, two adjustable chairs and a wheelchair added to public libraries. It will also provide for assistive technology equipment for visually impaired people including thirteen C-PEN Readers and braille signage.

Monaghan is set to receive €12,955.50 in funding for a range of furniture, including ten height-adjustable tables, four ergonomic chairs and an electric lift-and-rise mobility chair. Three folding A4 magnifiers and stands to support the visually impaired will also be provided for under this funding.

The funding was announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD.

Minister Humphreys said that the projects "will create a more welcoming, accessible and engaging library experience for thousands of people."

"This will put our libraries at the forefront of reaching out to all members of the community in which they serve – this is a key objective of the new library strategy “The Library is the Place”, which I launched last July at the official opening of the new Portlaoise library," she said.

"This funding will make a huge difference to people’s lives by providing equipment to support our elderly people and people with disabilities. It will also build on the excellent projects which have been delivered over the past five years and will help our public libraries to continue to foster community well-being and build community cohesion in their role as community hubs.”

Welcoming the funding, Fianna Fáil TD Niamh Smyth said the projects "will create a more welcoming, accessible and engaging library experience."

"I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute and thank all our library staff, who play such an important role in cities, towns and villages right across the country,” Deputy Smyth said.