Vol. 441 No. 5
192 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Education if it is proposed to allocate funds towards the provision of a regional sports centre in County Cork; the plans, if any, that were submitted by Cork Corporation; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
A grant of £1.75 million was allocated in 1988 to Cork Corporation under my Department's multi-annual capital programme for the provision of major sports facilities. The project involves the provision of a 25 metre swimming pool complex with ancillary indoor facilities.
Following the planning process the Department, in consultation with Cork Corporation, invited proposals for the project in 1991 on the basis of a design, finance, construct and management package. No satisfactory proposals emerged from this process and it was agreed that the project should proceed on a traditional design and tender basis.
In view of the lapse of time since the grant was originally allocated Cork Corporation undertook a reassessment of the facilities to be provided taking account of the needs of the area and the competing facilities which have been established in the intervening years. As a result the proposals previously prepared by Cork Corporation are being revised in consultation with my Department, following which the detail design can be completed and tenders invited.
