asked the Minister for Local Government the present position regarding the proposed swimming pool for Drogheda, County Louth.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers (Resumed). - Swimming Pools.
259.
I approved in principle of this proposal last March, subject to agreement on the technical details and the arrangements for financing the project. I understand that the Drogheda Swimming Pool Association, who are providing the pool with the assistance of a substantial contribution from Drogheda Corporation, intend to review the plans for the pool in the light of the new outline specification for swimming pools which I intend to issue shortly.
With regard to the financing of the pool, Drogheda Corporation have been unable to raise a loan on reasonable terms for the purpose of making their contribution and the question of making a loan available to them from the Local Loans Fund is being examined.
260.
andMr. P. Belton asked the Minister for Local Government whether a grant has been made available to Dublin Corporation for the building of a swimming pool in the Ballymun satellite town; and, if so, where the pool will be sited.
I have received no application from Dublin Corporation for financial assistance towards the cost of the swimming pool which they intend to provide in Ballymun but I understand that they have now chosen a site for the pool south of Ceannt Tower.
Would the Minister not agree that it is regrettable that this area which was built in such an artificial manner and in which there are so many people concentrated in a limited space should have no amenities whatever and would he use his influence with Dublin Corporation to have expedited the provision of a community centre and a swimming pool?
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether it is true that the developers of the Ballymun complex gave an undertaking in writing at the time they commenced building to provide, free of charge, a swimming pool in the shopping centre?
I am not able to reply to that question offhand but I will ascertain the information.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the local associations are opposed totally to the new site being chosen at Ceannt Tower and that they have said they will not have this in any event? Could the Parliamentary Secretary tell the House why the original site was abandoned? This is a matter of great resentment on the part of the local people.
I do not know.
Surely the Parliamentary Secretary is aware that the planning permission had to go through his Department and that in 1966 the Department planned for a swimming pool in the shopping centre but that now Dublin Corporation have changed those plans?
The local authority are not required to apply to our Department for planning permission.
But the Department run the local authority.
There is direct operation from the Department.