Vol. 499 No. 1
845 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will make funds available to the Loughrea swimming pool committee in order that this funding and the money raised locally will allow work to commence on this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28421/98]
847 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will make funding available to the committee of Loughrea swimming pool to match local funding in order to allow this project to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28451/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 845 and 847 together.
Loughrea Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre Development Group submitted an application for funding for a swimming pool and leisure centre in February 1998 under the sports capital programme. The group was advised in April 1998 that its application was unsucessful. A new revised sports capital programme was advertised recently, and the closing date for receipt of completed application forms is Friday, 12 February 1999. Meanwhile, the group may also be eligible to submit up to date detailed preliminary proposals, including a feasibility study, through its local authority, for examination by my Department under the separate swimming pool programme. However, I would point out to the Deputy that the total budget of £3 million for 1999 for the construction and refurbishment of swimming pools is fully committed to projects under construction and to projects already approved and on which work is expected to commence shortly.
