In relation to my Department's responsibilities, capital funding for swimming pools was previously provided through the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP). 52 pools have been completed under the LASPP and three swimming pool projects (Lucan, Buncrana and Edenderry) remain in the programme with the Lucan project currently being completed. Two pools in Louth received funding under the programme, namely Dundalk and Drogheda. My Department also provided funding for the Swim Ireland Pop-Up pool programme. The schedule of the pop-up pool programme is entirely a matter for Swim Ireland and the relevant local authorities.
The National Sports Policy, which was published in 2018, provided for the establishment of a Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The aim of LSSIF is to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects where the Exchequer investment would be greater than the maximum amount available under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP).
The first LSSIF allocations were announced in January 2020 and thus far €124 million has been awarded to 33 different proposals with 8 swimming pool projects receiving an allocation. Minister Martin and I also recently announced that a new round of the LSSIF will open for applications in the first half of 2024, with the dates, terms and conditions to be published on the Department’s website in due course. New swimming pool projects and the refurbishment of existing swimming pools will be eligible to apply for funding under the new round of LSSIF subject to programme guidelines.
