Vol. 489 No. 6
490 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the amount of money allocated under the capital programme for 1998 in relation to the provision and upgrading of swimming pools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8676/98]
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 will commence later in the year.
491 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has received proposals in his Department for the upgrading of Castlebar swimming pool, County Mayo; if so, if these proposals have been examined; if approval by his technical staff has been given to these proposals; if he will indicate the date of this approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8677/98]
492 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the reason permission to invite tenders for proposals to upgrade Castlebar swimming pool has not been authorised by him; if he will review this decision in view of the increased pressure of use on the Castlebar pool and the fact that use is about to be greatly increased due to the opening of the Castlebar International Holiday Village to which the pool is complementary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8680/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 491 and 492 together.
Contract documents for the proposed refurbishment of Castlebar swimming pool were received in my Department in September 1996 and are awaiting approval. However, approval to contract documents and permission to go to tender can only be given when the necessary funding for a particular project becomes available.
