Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 7

Written Answers. - Swimming Pool Projects.

Michael Creed

Question:

239 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the funding, if any, available from his Department for the construction of municipal swimming pools for each of the years from 1992 to date in 1998; the number of pools completed since 1992; the average cost per pool; the number of applications with his Department for funding; the procedures involved in making an application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5129/98]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

Following are the amounts provided in the Estimates each year since 1992 and the outturns for the construction and refurbishment of swimming pools — whether sponsored by local authorities or by voluntary bodies in co-operation with local authorities.

	Original Provision	Outturn
	£	£
1992	1,000,000	267,153
1993	1,183,000	1,513,000*
1994	1,300,000	1,300,000
1995	2,000,000	2,000,000
1996	2,000,000	3,451,705
1997	3,500,000	2,000,000
1998	4,000,000	–

*Includes an amount of £330,000 paid for one swimming pool project under the amenities-recreational facilities grants scheme.

One new pool which cost £2,253,888 and 12 refurbishment projects at an average cost of £561,715 commenced and were completed since 1992. A further three projects, including one new pool, with a total cost of £3,202,677 commenced prior to 1992 and were completed in 1992 or later.

There are three new pools and three refurbishment projects approved or under construction and a further 15 new pools and nine refurbishment proposals at various stages of planning in my Department at present.

Applications for funding for the provision of new swimming pools or for the refurbishment of existing pools must comply with the procedures set out in Memorandum LSS 1/98 entitled "Procedures for the Planning, Approval and Financing of Swimming Pools and Technical Guidelines," which issued to local authorities in January 1998. A copy of the memorandum has been forwarded to the Deputy.