I thank the Chair for permitting me to raise this issue.
Portarlington swimming pool opened in 1974, some 25 years ago. Since then it has received no funding from the State. It is run by a most efficient and competent group of local people and it is non-profit making. As it has received no funding since it opened, it is important that funding is now provided to upgrade and improve the pool. Grants of up to 100 per cent are available from the Department of the Environment and Local Government for the refurbishment of existing pools, provided the proposed works comply with the standards laid down in the Department's procedures for the planning approval and financing of swimming pools.
The pool is run by a private organisation so any work it submits to the Department of the Environment and Local Government must be approved by the local authority, Laois County Council. The council is happy to approve the work and it will make a submission in the next two weeks showing its support for the proposal The local swimming pool committee submitted grant applications for re-roofing of the pool and renovation of the office and dressing room area some considerable time ago. The pool requires re-roofing and a two-story office. Once the two-story office is built, the existing office space can be used to enlarge the two dressing rooms. They also propose to provide ten showers in a semicircle on the pool bank. Further works proposed are a steam room and a jacuzzi, all of which are essential in a town of that size with an increasing population.
The pool measures 25 metres by nine metres and its depth is one metre to two metres. The pool is open for nine months of the year and the cost of running it each year for the past few years has been £96,000. There is quite a sizeable staff attached to the pool, including a manager, two permanent lifeguards and temporary lifeguards, and swimming instructors. At one time there were 13 people employed at the pool. It is a wonderful facility for people of all age groups and particularly young people. They need the money to be provided at the earliest possible date.
The Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Dempsey, wrote to me outlining the fact that the 1998 allocation for swimming pool projects has been increased to £4 million but that the money for 1998 had been allocated and the money for 1999 is also largely committed. Previously we had problems in Birr, Clara and Edenderry and the then Minister provided funding for those towns. In this instance a strong case will be made by Laois County Council and by the local swimming pool committee. I am certain that all the local public representatives will be anxious that this issue be treated as one of priority.
Laois County Council are in the final stages of submitting plans to the Department. The Department should have them within the next two weeks. This area has received no funding for a long time. The committee is an excellent one and it is in the interests of everyone that the Department be seen to support this proposal. I highly commend it and congratulate the local voluntary committee on their efforts to date in providing such an amenity in their town. It is wonderful to see people working so hard for their local community. The Department can show its support and goodwill by supporting this proposal.
