€7.5 spent on €11 million Portlaoise Library

Laois County Chief Executive John Mulholland says the new Laois County Library is worth over €11 million despite net outlay construction costs of under €2 million. 

Speaking at the monthly County Council meeting, Mr Mulholland said the new library has significantly increased footfall on the Main Street in Portlaoise.

“For the  first couple of weeks over 1,000 people a day visited the library which is significantly up on the old library,” he remarked.  

“The all-in cost to the library including construction, fitout, shelving, furniture, mechanical and electrical components is €7.1 million including VAT and if you added the site purchase of 2014 it would be €7.56 million,” he remarked.  

“The outturn costs for construction of the building stands at under €2 million, around €1.9 and that is conscious of the fact that the final account is yet to be agreed. There is a maintenance period of a year yet to run,” Mr Mulholland said.  

“The library was required to be insured and it was revalued at current market prices and that  used a valuation of over €11 million for the building,” he remarked.  

“It means essentially Laois County Council is in possession of an asset worth over €11 million for a net outlay of under €2 million in its construction,” said Mr Mulholland.  

Laois County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Paschal McEvoy said the library is going to be a “massive asset” to the county and the feedback has been phenomenal. 

“It was put there for a lot less than €11 million. There’s not going to be anyone knocking on the door to buy it. That’s just the value of it as it is,” he remarked.

Cllr Barry Walsh described the Library as hugely positive. 

“I want to compliment all the staff and all the people involved in that  project. It is a hugely positive development. It really has enhanced lower Main Street and it seems to be a meeting place for people as well, so well done to everyone,” he said. 

Laois people urged to check they can vote at local libraries

Cllr Willie Aird said it has given one  end of Portlaoise a huge lift. 

“Everybody is praising it and I am not surprised by the footfall from the numbers that were said today,” said Cllr Aird.

He said the opening of the library has highlighted the need to have the new courthouse built.

“It is getting out of hand when you see the awful commotion on two days last week down there. We need to do something urgently,” he said. 

He called for a deputation from the council and local TDs to meet with the Minister on the issue.

Mr Mulholland said it was “very disappointing” to note that there had been no progress on the courthouse over the last five years since Laois County Council purchased a site for a new complex. 

“I think the Main Street clearly needs some progress in relation to that matter,” said Mr Mulholland. 

“I think we will move as Cllr Aird suggested and arrange a meeting with the OPW(Office of Public Works) and Court Service to see if it would be included in the national development plan which was my understanding that it would be,” he said. 

He said there was potential to make the Main Street more inviting to people visiting the town.