Portlaoise Library, ten years after the site was purchased on Main Street from Shaws, has officially opened its doors for business this morning.
The facility was launched yesterday and has become the newest library in the country.
It is a very impressive building which includes a community hub space, a study space, children’s services, extensive archives, and a local studies reading room.
However, the cost of the project has been undoubtedly the main talking point about it.
The original estimate of €2.5 million has trebled as long delays have continuously interrupted the project and caused the cost to balloon.
Minister Heather Humphreys confirmed yesterday that the project comes in just shy of €7.5 million – with her Department of Rural and Community Development funding €3.1 million of the cost.
A further €2.1 million was secured under the Urban Regeneration Scheme leaving Laois County Council to fund the remainder – roughly €2.3 million.
But speaking at the launch yesterday, Minister for State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Sean Fleming defended this.
The Laois TD said that ‘you cannot put a price on education’ and he is happy to stand over it.
He said: “It would be remiss of me as a local TD not to deal with the issue of the cost as it is something that has received a lot of coverage.
“So I want to say to people that this government wants to help people. Whether it is from an educational, cultural, arts or heritage point of view, we want to help in every way that we can.
“One other way is with the free school books for children going to primary school.
“You do not put a price on education – that is what I say to people. There are people who will talk about the cost and many have mentioned it since I walked in the door.
“But you do not put a price on education and that is my simple view on the matter.
“This is an investment for the future. It is an investment in future generations. We didn’t spend money, we invested money in the future of all the people in Laois.
“When I look at this simple figure – €7.5 million divided by the 90,000 people in the county, represents €84 per person in the county.
“That is good investment for a facility like this that will be here in 100 years time.
“I think that is great value for the people of Laois. That is my opinion on the matter and I know it has caused controversy so I wanted to fully address it.”
SEE ALSO – In Pictures: A first look inside the brand new €7.5 million Portlaoise Library
