asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of any proposals for the provision of additional swimming facilities in Dublin; and what assistance is available through his Department towards the provision of these facilities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Swimming Facilities.
43.
The provision by Dublin Corporation of an indoor heated swimming pool at Willie Pearse Memorial Park, Crumlin, has been approved by my Department. Contract documents for the work are being prepared by the Corporation. I am informed that the Corporation propose to provide pools in a number of other areas in the city when experience is gained in the erection and operation of the Crumlin project.
I understand that a pool is proposed to be provided by the school authorities at St. Mary's School for the Blind, Merrion, and Dublin Corporation have indicated their willingness to make a contribution of £6,000 or one-third the cost, whichever is the lesser, towards expenditure on the pool.
Assistance from my Department towards the provision of swimming pools takes the form of subsidy towards the annual loan charges on borrowing by local authorities to meet the cost of swimming pools which they themselves are providing or to meet the cost of contributions made by them to voluntary bodies providing pools. The normal rate of subsidy is 50 per cent.