asked the Minister for Local Government the number of new swimming pool proposals approved by him since 1st April, 1973; and the amount of capital involved in each case.
38.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Swimming Pools.
37.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he has completed the re-assessment of the swimming pool programme mentioned in a reply of 5th June, 1973; and if he will make a statement in the matter.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 37 and 38 together.
A proposal by Mayo County Council to contribute £3,000 towards the cost of an outdoor swimming pool at Charlestown has been approved. In addition capital allocations for projects which had been approved previously but for which no capital had been assigned were approved as follows—
|
New Ross |
£82,000 |
|
Cork |
£28,000 |
|
Clarinbridge |
£12,000 |
|
Portarlington |
£37,000 |
|
Edenderry |
£32,000 |
|
Cobh |
£50,000 |
The re-assessment of the swimming pool programme is under way. The indications are that local authority pools generally are losing money, some substantially. I want to find out more about this aspect and whether local authorities can be advised on better ways of managing and operating pools. This is the main purpose of the review I have initiated. The findings should also be of value to local authorities and to the Department in deciding on the desirability of proceeding with pools of the standard design in areas where only limited use of them can be expected.
It is expected to be some time before this review can be completed.
Am I to take it from the Minister's reply that now, six months after he came into office, he has not approved of even one new scheme for a swimming pool?
The Deputy will be glad to know that any pools which come before me for approval will be approved. Not alone will I approve of these but I will make financial provision for them. Putting approval on paper does not pay for pools.
The Minister has not approved of any new pools since he came into office. He should not try to twist the facts.
There was a list of pools of which Deputy Molloy had approved when I came into office but the Deputy had not provided money for them. I approved the expenditure of the money for the pools I mentioned in the reply. I will provide other swimming pools before the end of the financial year. Deputy Molloy's habit of giving permission to build a swimming pool and not making provision to pay for it is not good enough. I will not follow that example.
Can the Minister tell us whether there are a number of swimming pool applications from various areas throughout the country awaiting his approval in the Department for the last six months?
No.
Are there any pools awaiting permission?
There are no plans for pools awaiting approval in my Department.
May I ask the Minister to take this opportunity now to cut the trimmings of all the pool proposals before him and to reduce them to the minimum essential, such as dressingroom accommodation and toilet accommodation, in order to build more pools rather than to build pools with "trimmings"?
I would like to see pools of a good standard built. During Deputy Molloy's period as Minister he ensured that the pools were of good standard. There are some trimmings which might not have been included. I am thinking particularly of a pool at Galway.