Funding of €20,260.87 has been announced to support three community projects at Donegal County Library.
The projects have been designed to assist libraries in reaching out to older people, the unemployed and other marginalised, socially excluded and disadvantaged groups.
They include programmes for children with Down Syndrome, children with autism and pupils in DEIS primary schools.
A total of €22,512.07 is being made available in Donegal, with €20,260.87 coming from the government Dormant Accounts Action Plan and €2,251.20 from the library authority.
Details are as follows:
Announcing the funding, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TDs said: “I am delighted today to be allocating €650,000 in this funding to libraries across the country.
“Our libraries have responded magnificently to the challenges presented by the pandemic and continued to provide services throughout the past 16 months.
“This funding will help them to reach out and engage further with the communities they serve.
“The kind of programmes being funded through this initiative will benefits thousands of library users, young and old.”
Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien added: “I am particularly pleased that this funding supports the installation of equipment in public libraries which will improve accessibility for people with a disability, sensory needs, autism, and older members of our community. Our public libraries are welcoming and inclusive spaces and it is important that everybody can avail of the services that they provide.”