Bernard Allen
Question:19 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the position regarding the provision and maintenance of swimming pools. [15454/99]
Ceisteanna – Questions (Resumed) - Swimming Pool Projects.
The swimming pool programme administered by my Department provides capital funding for local authority swimming pools, refurbishment of existing pools and the cost of new pools. Where a project is undertaken by an organisation other than a local authority, the proposal must be considered, in the first instance, by the relevant local authority. Any such proposal will be considered by the Department only if it is supported by the local authority. In considering whether to support an application, the local authority must be satisfied that the proposal is viable, the balance of funding required to complete the project is available and the project, when completed, will have a satisfactory level of access available to the general public.
Since 1988, a total of £16 million in grant-aid has been allocated under the programme towards the cost of refurbishment of 25 pools and the construction of three new local authority pools. The budget for 1999 is £3 million, which is already committed to the refurbishment of three pools, the construction of six new pools and outstanding balances on three recently completed projects.
The Department has applications on hand for funding for the refurbishment of nine local authority pools and the provision of 13 new pools, seeking a total in grant-aid in the region of £30 million. A number of applications for swimming pool projects have also been received under the 1999 sports capital programme, five of which relate to local authority pools. My Department is currently planning a review of the swimming pool programme, including application processes, funding and technical requirements for grant aid to ensure the most efficient expenditure under the programme in terms of promoting the development of swimming pools and the best value for State investment. I am determined that the development of pools under the programme for the future will be done in a structured and focused way, concentrating on areas of greatest need and based on clearly established priorities.
The Minister will be aware that he accepted a Private Members' motion tabled by Fine Gael two months ago which called on the Government to set up a capital programme for the refurbishment of swimming pools. He stated in his reply that he has received applications for approximately £30 million in grant-aid for the refurbishment and provision of new pools. What progress has been made on obtaining funding from the Department of Finance towards implementing the decision of this House, which was accepted by the Minister?
That is correct and I have proceeded with that which was requested of me. That report is literally with me. I have already been in touch with the Department of Finance and we are undergoing a review of the entire swimming pool programme.
Faced with the demand for £30 million in grant-aid for the refurbishment and provision of new pools, including 25 metre pools throughout the country, how does the Minister reconcile that with the demand for a 50 metre pool and its cost implications? How will he square both demands in his capital programme?
I have already dealt with the 50 metre pool. As the Deputy will be aware there were three tenders for it. That number was reduced to two because a High Court action was taken recently by the third interested party. The court made a decision this morning regarding that application and it rejected an application for a judicial review by the third party. I am now reduced to two tenders for the 50 metre pool, pending an appeal by the third party for which it has 21 days. I hope that I will be able to proceed with the 50 metre pool process shortly.
The Government made available the necessary funding for the 50 metre pool – £6 million plus £250,000 annually to cover running costs. Swimming pools are a very important part of the recreational aspect of swimming. Thousands of children of all ages participate in swimming and there are 55 local authority pools nationwide, all of which require upgrading but that involves a separate budget. For the first time, I am looking into the condition of those pools and, I hope, with the aid of my colleague, the Minister for Finance, a new programme will be put in place. These are two separate issues. A 50 metre pool is required for our elite athletes but I also agree with the Deputy that a huge refurbishment programme is required for local authority pools.