Vol. 512 No. 3
289 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation when he will approve grant aid to a company (details supplied) in County Galway; the timescale for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26132/99]
My Department currently has 12 proposals to build new pools, including one in Loughrea. All proposals are being examined giving consideration to such matters as: the need for a swimming pool in an area; suitability of the proposed site; future viability of the project, particularly in relation to operational and maintenance issues; construction and operating standards of existing facilities; satisfactory financial plan; and the need to achieve an equitable geographical spread of funds.
However, it should be noted that funding for new pools in 1999 and 2000 is already committed to pools in Navan, Ennis and Wicklow where work is currently under way and to a pool in Dundalk which is at an advanced stage of planning.
In August, when I announced the £45 million grant-aid package for local authority swimming pools over the next three years, I indicated my willingness to consider proposals from local authorities incorporating private sector investment. I hope to issue guidelines to local authorities on this approach in the near future.
