P. J. Sheehan
Question:6 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation when he will construct a 50 metre swimming pool to serve as an international arena and as a quality training facility. [17228/97]
Other Questions. - 50 Metre Swimming Pool.
Paul Bradford
Question:12 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation when he will construct a 50 metre swimming pool to serve as an international arena and as a quality training facility. [17226/97]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:18 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will build a 50 metre swimming pool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17262/97]
Michael Creed
Question:46 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation when he will construct a 50 metre swimming pool to serve as an international arena and as a quality training facility. [17227/97]
David Stanton
Question:51 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation when he will construct a 50 metre swimming pool to serve as an international arena and as a quality training facility. [17225/97]
Liam Burke
Question:57 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation when he will construct a 50 metre swimming pool to serve as an international arena and as a quality training facility. [17224/97]
Pat Rabbitte
Question:119 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the Government's policy on the provision of a 50 metre swimming pool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17180/97]
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:120 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the plans, if any, he has for the provision of a 50 metre swimming pool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17310/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 12, 18, 46, 51, 57, 119 and 120 together.
The Government's joint programme, An Action Programme for the Millennium, states that, among a number of priorities in the sport and leisure area, proposals will be invited for a national 50 metre swimming pool.
In view of the level of consideration to which this project has been subjected over the last several years, it is my intention to, first of all, complete a comprehensive appraisal of the position as it currently stands and then to examine the full range of realistic options that are available to the Government.
Over the past ten years valuable lessons have been learnt and information usefully secured, particularly as a result of the Design/ Construct/Finance/Manage competition held in 1992 and the feasibility study carried out by external consultants, which was completed in 1994.
Among the key factors which the Government will have to consider are the cost of the project, capital and current, and the extent, if any, of Exchequer involvement; the location; and the extent of complementarity with a developing high performance sports programme.
It is evident that the Minister is dodging the issue. Feasibility studies have been carried out and all the necessary information has been given to the Department. Surely it is not too much to ask whether the Minister can give a firm date for this project to be put to tender. The Minister and his Department are dilly-dallying and forgetting the achievements of Michelle Smith. I would like more definite information on when this project will be allowed to go to tender.
The Deputy accuses me of dodging the issue. I have been here approximately 100 days and this issue has been ongoing for the past ten years. I am putting the information together. I accept, in view of what Michelle Smith has done, that the country deserves a 50 metre swimming pool. I am trying to weigh up the information I have in order to come to a conclusion. Recently it was noted that £60 million is required for ordinary pools as a result of the consultation process in 1994. There were 12 applicants in that consultation process and each came up with one common denominator, that £15 million would be the Exchequer input and that £500,000 a year would be required on an ongoing basis.
In other words, I would have to provide almost twice the amount Deputy Allen handed out in May in national lottery grants to construct a 50 metre swimming pool. I have to weigh up all these factors and reach a balanced decision. I expect to find a solution before May 2002 when I hope I will still be in this position.
Will the cost of the pool be included in the Estimates for l998? How many applications for grants for 50 metre swimming pools under the recreational facilities scheme have been received by the sports section of his Department? Will the Minister meet a deputation from Graiguecullen, County Carlow to discuss the provision of a swimming pool at that location?
That is an extension of the question.
I will meet anybody who has a reasonable proposition to put to me. I have indicated to the Deputy's colleague from Fine Gael that I will meet a deputation from Graiguecullen. I do not propose to include the cost of a 50 metre swimming pool in the Estimates for the reasons given. My Department does not have responsibility for swimming pools. Currently they are the responsibility of the Department of the Environment and Local Government and the local authorities. Moves are afoot however to transfer responsibility to the sports section of my Department.
The figure of £60 million mentioned by the Minister is a daunting one. I agree with him that he has to balance the need to provide 25 metre swimming pools throughout the country with the demand for a 50 metre swimming pool. He is adopting the correct approach. In considering the needs of communities, will the Minister bear in mind one of the key recommendations of the national plan for sport published last year, the provision of a national centre of excellence incorporating a 50 metre training pool? The University of Limerick has submitted a laudable proposal in respect of which it is prepared to meet 50 per cent of the capital costs involved and all of the running costs thereafter. In other words, there would be a once off allocation from the Exchequer. The major worry is that a 50 metre swimming pool of the type referred to in the l994 report would inevitably be a drain on the Exchequer and incur ongoing losses.
I thank the Deputy for his support. There are a number of proposals, including the one mentioned by the Deputy, which will be favourably considered.
The Taoiseach said in the House yesterday that he was in consultation with the relevant Ministers on the appropriate way to commemorate the millennium. Has the Minister submitted a millennium project to the Taoiseach and, if so, what form does it take? Has the Minister been in contact with the Department of the Environment and Local Government about the overrun of £6 million on four swimming pools? I hope he assumes responsibility for swimming pools because it appears the Department of the Environment and Local Government is throwing money around like confetti.
I cannot comment on that matter as it falls outside my remit. I have established a committee within the Department to devise a major millennium project, particularly in the tourism area. The Taoiseach has indicated that other Ministers will submit proposals and that a Cabinet sub-committee will be established to consider them. In Ireland we have always had the advantage of being different. In the year 2000 there will be many worthy projects in other countries which might entice Irish people domiciled there to remain. We intend therefore to have a programme in place in l999 to encourage Irish people to come home to say goodbye to the old rather than celebrate the new.
Will the Minister consider providing, as the millennium project, a much needed multi-purpose arena for sporting events and concerts?
I agree with the Deputy. Decisions will be taken in the light of budgetary considerations by the Cabinet sub-committee to be established. The Deputy's proposal is worthy of consideration.
The Minister mentioned the year 2002. Will he agree that indecision on his part is pushing the provision of a 50 metre swimming pool way beyond that date? The Minister who has been in office for 117 days found himself in hot water for failing to show courtesy to Michele de Bruin——
A question, please.
This is a major capital project. Will the Minister agree that indecision on his part is pushing it way beyond 2002?
I disagree with the Deputy. I have given him the figures and conducted the necessary research in the past 117 days. I am not satisfied that any of the projects submitted previously would be good for the Exchequer. I must balance the demand for a 50 metre swimming pool with the need to refurbish existing swimming pools. I am determined to make the right decision.
Will the Minister confirm that there is over £40 million available in national lottery funds for major projects such as a 50 metre swimming pool? When will this money be spent?
The Deputy should put that question to the Minister for Finance.
The Minister must know the answer.
I am sure that some of the national lottery funds to which the Deputy referred will be used, as we approach the new millennium, to fund many of the excellent projects submitted to my Department.
Will the Minister state whether any of the reports he has received contains any recommendation vis-à-vis the location of this pool or has he any opinion on its siting in the national interest?
Even if I had it is unlikely I would announce it in the House——
To the elected representatives?
Ignore the House.
——because there are many worthy projects nationwide. It is not like the national conference centre; it is possible that this project could be located elsewhere. These proposals were in the possession of the Deputy's party in Government in l994. It failed to take a decision on those 12 applications over two and a half years. Will they please give me a chance in the short period since I assumed office? I am sure we will come up with something by the year 2002.
Is the Minister saying he is not prepared to make major statements or announcements like these in the House? If so, I find that most unsatisfactory.