As funding of €153k is announced for the upgrade of Kildare libraries, Minister Martin Heydon has said that he is seeking priority access for leaving cert students sitting exams in November in local libraries from now to the exams taking place.
“I am delighted that my colleague, Minister of Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced total funding of €3 million to support a Small Scale Capital Works Programme in public libraries. This funding will be matched by local authorities to the value of around €1.1million – giving a total investment of almost €4.1m.
“Kildare County Council will receive €153k of which over €81k is for window replacements and a new pump and boiler for the library in Kildare town. The balance of funds will go towards Perspex in 14 Kildare library branches and window replacement in Maynooth library.
“While some of this funding will go towards the creation of study pods I have asked my colleague Minister Humphreys to consider the prioritisation of students who will be sitting the Leaving Cert this November for space in our local libraries.
“These students are in the unusual position of trying to prepare for exams outside of a school setting which limits their scope for study. This is especially true for students with poor quality broadband or lack of space in their homes.
“This is an issue that was raised with me by local families who are keen for their children to be able to access space in local libraries. I am aware that given the current Covid-19 restrictions anyone wishing to visit the library must pre-book
“While these precautions are necessary to ensure the safety of library staff and the general public, I have asked that priority booking could be made available to students in particular students that are sitting their Leaving Certificate examination in November 2020” concluded Minister Heydon.