Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 May 1999

Vol. 504 No. 3

Written Answers. - Swimming Pool Projects.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

27 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will fund community swimming pools from national lottery funding or any other source from within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11763/99]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

My Department administers the swimming pool programme, which is funded by the Exchequer. Under this programme, capital grants of up to 100 per cent are available to local authorities towards the approved cost of refurbishing an existing swimming pool and up to 80 per cent of the cost of a new pool. The provision of £3 million in the 1999 Estimates for this purpose is fully committed.

My Department also administers the sports capital programme which provides funding from the proceeds of the national lottery towards the provision of sport and recreational sport facilities at national, regional and local levels.

Proposals for funding for the construction of community swimming pools are considered where they form part of a major sports complex.

Some 1,900 applications in respect of a variety of sporting facilities, including a number of swimming pool projects, have been received for funding under the new programme which was advertised at the end of 1998 following a comprehensive review undertaken by my Department. Given the large number of applications received and the level of work involved in assessing them, I do not expect to be in a position to make final announcements on the 1999 round of grant allocations for some time yet.