Vol. 450 No. 4
4 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education Government policy for the provision of a national fifty metre swimming pool; if a decision has yet been reached in relation to implementing the feasibility study carried out by the sports section of her Department in 1994; and the consideration, if any, that has been given to the international swimming hall of fame proposal. [4991/95]
The Deputy will, of course, be aware that in June 1994, the Department of Education commissioned a feasibility study to examine all the options for the provision of a national 50 metre swimming pool complex to cater for the training needs of Ireland's swimmers and for national and international competitions in addition to serving as a community facility. As the Deputy will be aware the feasibility report was completed in November 1994. The Dublin International Sports Council's proposals for a 50 metre swimming pool complex are being considered in the context of my Department's examination of the feasibility study.
The authors of the feasibility study recommend a swimming pool-leisure complex costing an estimated £17 million. Obviously a project of this scale requires very careful and detailed consideration before any decision can be made in the matter in view of the overall capital and operating costs involved. Because of its implications for Exchequer funding. I am not in a position to say at this stage when a decision about the project can be made.
I welcome the Minister to the House. This is the first time I have had an opportunity to congratulate him publicly on his appointment. I put down the question in order to establish the Government's policy on a national 50-metre swimming pool. I am aware of the position until November 1994.
He knows more about boxing.
The Minister did not indicate Government policy on the matter. The feasibility study was the first comprehensive report to come to hand. We also received a recommendation from ISHOF. Will the Minister indicate when a decision will be made? Everyone accepts the need for an international swimming pool in Ireland. We are the only European country without such a pool. We cannot keep putting this matter off. Why is there no reference in the Government programme to sport or to a 50-metre pool? It was included in the Fianna Fáil/Labour Programme for Government but it seems to have disappeared. Will the Minister clarify the position?
It has not disappeared. This matter arose in the 1980s.
It is not in the programme for Government.
It is on my agenda. There was a proposal for an Olympic 50-metre pool which was knocked on the head in 1991 by the Deputy and Deputy Ahern. A proposal was brought forward to look at the provision of a 50-metre training pool. A feasibility study was undertaken and there is a proposal costing £17 million. My annual budget is approximately £12 million. This would be a major project. When I am satisfied that I can go to Cabinet with proposals I will do so.
The Deputy mentioned the ISHOF proposal and the Dublin Sports Council. I met them once since I became Minister and they made certain proposals. I asked for further information because the proposals were not sufficiently detailed. I still await that information. I had a letter this morning telling me that I would have the details within a short period. I will re-evaluate the matter when I receive them.
I am aware of the history of this case. The decision not to proceed with a swimming pool was not taken during my term of office. If the Minister checks the position he will find that is so. I was most disappointed that I was not able to proceed further on the feasibility study carried out at the request of the Department during my period in office. Does the Minister accept the report's conclusions? ISHOF is awaiting a decision from his Department. This prestigious international organisation has until 17 March to make a decision. If a decision is not made by then, the organisation will go elsewhere. The matter is urgent.
It is very easy for people to bring forward proposals but my Department must put up the money to fund them. I received proposals from the Dublin Sports Council and asked it to elaborate on them and cost them. One of my fears in providing a complex is that we will have an ongoing deficit in the running costs which will be a millstone around the neck of my Department for the foreseeable future. When a decision is made I want to be aware of the cost implications. I am awaiting further details from the Sports Council.
My records show that in late 1993 the proposal for an Olympic-size swimming pool was finally knocked on the head, in consultation with the Minister for Finance. I am now attempting to put something in its place. A feasibility study has been carried out and we are proceeding as quickly as we can. At the end of the day I want to put up a convincing argument——
For a Cork location.
Is the Minister saying he does not accept the feasibility study? All the information he requests is contained in that report. Regardless of the ISHOF proposal, that report has been available since November 1994. It needs his attention and support to ensure it is brought forward to Government for a decision as quickly as possible. In the meantime, what will our international swimmers do? Can we give them any hope? The matter has progressed to that level and we are asking the Minister to push it further.
I hope our swimmers will be successful in the months and years ahead. I came to office on 22 December and saw the document for the first time in early January. It is a major document and must be addressed seriously. Until such time as I am satisfied that the costings and ongoing cost implications are accurate I am not prepared to go to Cabinet with a recommendation. That is fair and reasonable. I am pursuing the matter as quickly as I can and am having discussions with the Dublin Sports Council. They are to come back to me with information. As soon as I receive it and take other considerations into account I will make a recommendation.
It confirms the lack of support for sport.
The matter was raised in the mid-eighties.
