To ask the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what steps she has taken, and intends to take, to secure the long-term futures of Greenisland and Whitehead libraries.

I recognise the valuable contribution that the public library service makes to our local (both rural and urban) communities and I am fully committed to the provision of a comprehensive and efficient library service.

I also recognise that both my Department and its sponsored bodies have already had to take very difficult decisions in planning to live within reduced budget allocations over the next four years.

Libraries NI has recently started a Review of its opening hours. The purpose of this Review is to deliver the savings required while protecting a network of sustainable libraries into the future.