asked the Minister for Local Government if approval has been given by his Department for the swimming pool in Crumlin, Dublin; if so, when the project will commence; the number he envisages such a pool will cater for; when work will be completed; the total number of hours per day and days per week that this pool will not be restricted to club membership but open to the general public; and if he considers that one such pool will be adequate for the needs of the populace of the area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Swimming Pools.
16.
I hope to be in a position shortly to give my decision on the tender for the swimming pool at Crumlin which was recently submitted to me by Dublin Corporation.
I could not say at this stage when the project is likely to be commenced or be completed. It will be for the Corporation to consider in due course whether the pool now proposed will meet the needs of the area. Arrangements as to the hours and days of opening, etc., of swimming pools are also matters for the corporation to decide.
Is the Minister not aware and will he not agree that there is a grave need for a swimming pool in Dublin, especially in the Crumlin area, where there are over 71,000 people, and that this is being put on the long finger for years? Is he aware that now when we are talking of having it approved, he is still waiting and there is still further delay? Is he aware that there was a terrible tragedy just a week ago, due to the fact that there was no swimming pool——
The Deputy may not make a speech.
I am asking if the Minister would, as a matter of urgency, give favourable consideration to this project?
A tender was submitted on 20th May——
It has gone on for years.
(Interruptions.)
That is not so. The tender was submitted on 20th May and the only thing worrying Deputy O'Connell is that there will be two swimming pools in Dublin.
We should have at least 22.
Let the Minister, for God's sake, sit down.
Two pools for 700,000 people.
The fact of the matter is that the economy of the country can supply a limited amount of money for capital development——
(Interruptions.)
Do Deputy O'Connell's colleagues want this money to be devoted entirely to the private sector?
The Minister should be ashamed of himself.
Deputy O'Connell knows his colleagues want this money devoted to the private sector.
This matter has been neglected for years.
The dead hand of Fianna Fáil.
17.
asked the Minister for Local Government the number of persons catered for by the present swimming pools in Dublin city; and the number of hours per day and days per week which the present swimming pools, which were financed with public moneys, are available to the general public and not restricted to club members.
The information asked for by the Deputy is not available in my Department.
18.
asked the Minister for Local Government the number of swimming pool projects which he has approved; and whether he intends to make additional capital allocations in respect of further pools in the near future.
I have already indicated to the appropriate local authorities that I would be prepared to consider the allocation of capital towards the erection of pools at Dublin city— two pools—Ballinasloe, Carlow, Ennis, Enniscorthy, Kilkenny, Mallow, Naas, Tipperary and Tuam, subject to agreement on relevant factors such as design, cost, local contribution, etc. for each pool. I have also tentative commitments in respect of pools at Galway and at Williamstown, Dún Laoghaire.
Having regard to the large amount of public capital involved in these pools —approximately £400,000—and the necessity to conserve capital for other essential services I could not feel justified in taking on further commitments in respect of additional pools until reasonable progress has been made with the pools already agreed.
Would the Minister hazard a guess as to when these might start?
I have no doubt that some of them will probably start this year, if the local authorities go ahead with the plans.
The local authorities will, but they cannot get sanction from the Department.