Kildare County Council has applied for funding for the redevelopment of Naas Town Hall.
The proposed redevelopment will include the moving of the Naas Library from Basin Street back to the Town Hall, the construction of a multi-purpose facility to the rear of the building, as well as meeting and study rooms in the building.
It is expected that a Part 8 planning application will be lodged shortly.
The Council has applied for funding for this from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government under the Urban Regeneration Funds.
The Town Hall was originally built as a Jail in 1796 but later abolished in 1840.
The building was acquired by Naas Town Commission in 1854 as their new Municipal building.
Naas Urban District Council (UDC) renovated the Town Hall in 1904 and gave it the new facade including the twin-faced clock.
UDC meetings were transferred from the Town Hall to the new Kildare Co Council's HQ - Aras Chill Dara over a decade ago.
Senator Tony Lawlor said: “I welcome that this is part of the council’s plan for the redevelopment of the centre of the town which also includes the area around St David’s Castle and Abbey Street’.
"With Dunne’s Store moving into the old Superquinn store and the receiver and Kildare County Council in discussions on the Town Centre site these are positive developments for Naas.
"The Minister has informed me that decisions on the allocation of funds for Rural and Urban Regeneration will be announced shortly."
Recently Kildare Libraries recently were allocated €547,262 in funding for digital services and facilities.
This investment will enhance ICT infrastructure, create new meeting spaces with state of the art technology and provide dedicated digital learning suites.
Senator Lawlor added: “The new facilities and services will attract new users of all ages to our public libraries. This funding will transform our public library service across Kildare.”
“The funding includes the provision of iPads/tablets/smart devices for users and for staff to assist users; computers and workstations including image deployment technology; software to support design, gaming and coding; Meeting space technology; Podcasting equipment and workstations; “Dementia Tables” which facilitate play and learning for people with mild to severe dementia as well as those with intellectual disabilities, learning difficulties and autism; Mobile LCD screens with audio; Interactive whiteboards and digital training suites.”
“All of this shows how progressive our libraries have become. We are to the forefront with new technologies and services for our local communities here in Kildare,” Senator Lawlor said.
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