COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF CLONDALKIN, NEWCASTLE, RATHCOOLE, SAGGART AND BRITTAS AREA COMMITTEE
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
MOTIONS NO. 16
MOTIONS: Councillor F. Timmons
That this Area Committee requests SDCC look at the Library service extending to a Rathcoole - Saggart Library Hub and also a Newcastle Library Hub and to issue a detailed report that includes population required for a library and what has and is being considered for these areas?
REPORT:
SDCC Libraries is committed to an equitable and strategic approach to library development across the County. The recently developed framework Criteria for Prioritising Libraries Capital Projects (SDCC Libraries, June 2025) provides an evidence-based methodology for identifying, comparing and prioritising areas for new or enhanced library services. This is aligned with national strategies such as The Library is the Place: National Public Library Strategy 2023-2027, Our Library, Our Future: South Dublin Libraries Development Plan 2023-2027, and the Public Library Standards and Benchmarks issued by the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD).
- Library Network and Coverage Gaps
SDCC currently operates six full-time branches and one part-time branch, with new libraries at Citywest and Adamstown in the construction and planning stages.
A GIS-based coverage and walkability study undertaken as part of the capital framework identified service gaps in areas including Rathcoole and Newcastle. These are locations lying outside the 2.5 km sustainable travel catchment of an existing or planned branch.
It should be noted that as well as population, other considerations for the prioritisation of library capital projects include:
- Social Need
- Complexity of Project
- Potential for External Funding/Grant Aid
- Range of Ultimate Cost
- Current Location/Library Provision
- Alignment with County Development Plan, Local Area Plans and/or Strategic Development Zones
- Population Benchmarks
The current standards and benchmarks for library development (DRCD) state:
“For the development of a static library, the minimum population within the catchment area should be no less than 3,000. The catchment population will be determined by population density, proximity to other branches, economic and social activity of the population centre”
“The minimum size for a new branch serving a population of 3,000 within the catchment area should be 500 m².”
- Area Assessments
(a) Rathcoole and Saggart
Current combined population: approx. 10,000–12,000, with further growth anticipated along the Citywest–Saggart–Rathcoole corridor (projected >15,000 by 2036).
- The forthcoming Citywest Library (approx. 1,600 m²) will serve Saggart.
- Rathcoole remains on the outer edge of the service catchment. Rathcoole is therefore identified as a candidate for a small library/satellite hub. This project is considered a current capital priority and is at initiation stage.
- Services are currently provided through the Mobile Library weekly public stops.
(b) Newcastle
- Current population: 5,566 (2025), projected to reach approximately 6,000 by 2028.
- Located beyond the 2.5 km catchment of any existing or planned library.
- Services are currently provided through the Mobile Library weekly public stops.
- While Newcastle has grown, it is likely to remain relatively separate from other urban/residential developments in the years to come. It is therefore recognised as a candidate location for a future small branch or hub (circa 500 m²), subject to inclusion in the next County Development Plan (2029–2034).
- Conclusion and Recommendation
Both Rathcoole–Saggart and Newcastle meet or approach national population thresholds for enhanced library provision.
- Saggart: Will be served by the new Citywest Library.
- Rathcoole: The area is suitable for the development of a small branch/satellite library hub, linked to the new Citywest Library catchment to serve the expanding population. This project is considered a current capital priority and is at initiation stage.
- Newcastle: Recommended for future inclusion in the next County Development Plan (2029–2034) as a local library hub (approx. 500 m²). Interim outreach and mobile services will continue to provide access.
These recommendations are consistent with the SDCC Capital Prioritisation Framework and with the Public Library Standards and Benchmarks (DRCD).