S.I. No. 321/1977:

PUBLIC LIBRARIES ACT, 1947 (GRANTS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS, 1977.

PUBLIC LIBRARIES ACT, 1947 (GRANTS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS, 1977.

The Minister for the Environment, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by section 16 of the Public Libraries Act, 1947 (No. 40 of 1947) hereby makes the following Regulations:--

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Public Libraries Act, 1947 (Grants) (Amendment) Regulations, 1977.

2. The Public Libraries Act, 1947 (Grants) Regulations, 1961 ( S.I. No. 265 of 1961 ) and these Regulations may be cited together as the Public Libraries Act, 1947 (Grants) Regulations, 1961 and 1977.

3. The following article is hereby substituted for article 3 of the Public Libraries Act, 1947 (Grants) Regulations, 1961--

"3.--(1) The financial aid to local authorities in respect of expense incurred in the exercise of their powers under the Public Libraries Acts, 1855 to 1947 for the improvement of their library services for which grants may be paid shall be given in the form of contributions towards either--

( a ) the annual loan charges of the local authorities in respect of expense in--

(i) the acquisition of land;

(ii) the erection, reconstruction, alteration, improvement or furnishing of any building;

(iii) the purchase of books;

(iv) the provision of vehicles for the transport of books;

(v) such other matters as may from time to time be approved by the Minister;

or

( b ) the payment of rent in respect of the taking on lease of land.

(2) The amount of any grant shall not exceed half the said annual loan charges or rent as the case may be and payment thereof may be made to the Council in one sum or in instalments as the Minister thinks fit."

GIVEN under the Official Seal of the Minister for the Environment

this 11th day of October, 1977.

SYLVESTER BARRETT,

Minister for the Environment.

The Minister for Finance hereby consents to the foregoing Regulations.

Dated this 11th day of October, 1977.

SEOIRSE Ó COLLA,

Minister for Finance.

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

These Regulations extend the scope of the Public Libraries Act, 1947 (Grants) Regulations, 1961 so as to permit the Minister for the Environment to pay grants to An Chomhairle Leabharlanna in respect of financial aid to local authorities towards the cost of leasing premises for the improvement of their library services.