Vol. 487 No. 3
216 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has received an application from Athlone Urban District Council for £0.5 million funding for the swimming pool section of Athlone Regional Sports Centre; if so, when he will give approval to this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3957/98]
An application from Athlone Urban District Council for a grant of £200,000 towards the overall cost of a swimming pool to be built as part of the Athlone Regional Sports Centre was received in my Department in December 1992. Plans for the proposed swimming pool together with a request for an increased grant of £500,000 were subsequently received in February 1997. There is a provision of £4 million in my Department's Vote for 1998 for the construction and refurbishment of swimming pools. This provision is fully committed to projects under construction or fully approved and on which work is shortly due to commence. It will not therefore be possible to make an allocation for the Athlone Regional Sports Centre from this year's provision.
