Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Apr 1960

Vol. 180 No. 14

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Authority Swimming Pools.

23.

Mr. N. Lemass

asked the Minister for Local Government if, either on his own initiative or in collaboration with other Ministers concerned, he will give guidance along practical lines to local authorities who are anxious to provide covered swimming pool facilities but are faced with serious difficulty on account of the cost; whether he will encourage the carrying out of pioneer work by local authorities as an experiment in the direction of providing less elaborate pools than those now regarded as traditional, for instance by employing fibre glass or similar material as an alternative to glazed tiles for lining material; and whether he will consider the promotion of a scheme whereby architects or consultants could be invited to design a pool on a competition basis with an award of special marks for low cost.

24.

Mr. N. Lemass

asked the Minister for Local Government if it is the policy of his Department to make grants available to local authorities who are anxious to provide covered swimming pool facilities; and, if so, if he will indicate what kind of assistance he might be prepared to give in this regard.

Mr. Blaney

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 24 together.

The number of local authorities proposing to build swimming pools, whether covered or outdoor, is limited. The capital cost of these works is a major deterrent in many instances, and I would, therefore, welcome any proposals from the local authorities concerned for the construction of such pools in the most economical manner. My Department will be prepared to give all the advice and assistance at its disposal in such cases. Owing to the great variety in the nature of the proposals involved in different areas, I do not think that a competition would produce practicable designs capable of general application.

As regards financial assistance, contributions may be made from my Department's Vote towards loan charges incurred by sanitary authorities either in providing swimming pools themselves, or in making grants to local committees for their provision. The following general conditions apply:—

(a) Plans, specification and estimate of work proposed for subsidy must be submitted in the usual way.

(b) In areas where water and sewerage schemes are required such schemes must have priority.

(c) The rate of contribution for each case will be determined individually having regard to the circumstances.

(d) In the case of pools provided by local committees, satisfactory assurances as to maintenance must be forthcoming.

Loans may be issued from the Local Loans Fund in suitable cases, at the rate of interest obtaining at the date of issue. The maximum repayment period for such loans is 30 years.

Mr. N. Lemass

Is the Minister aware that the Minister for Finance, in a letter dated 30th January, informed the Dublin Corporation with regard to its proposal for building a swimming pool that a similar proposal had been made by Dún Laoghaire Corporation, and that he said that there was a greater advantage in having such a pool in the Dún Laoghaire area? May I assume that whatever proposals there are for Dún Laoghaire will not interfere with any proposals coming from Dublin Corporation?

Mr. Blaney

I am afraid the Deputy is raising matters about which I have not got full information. I would hesitate to commit myself to any predetermined course of action on the basis of information supplied now.