Vol. 523 No. 4
227 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the current level of the national support or investment in swimming; the way in which this compares with other EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21377/00]
There is a provision of £15 million this year for the swimming pool programme which is administered by my Department. Under this programme grants of up to £3 million are available towards the refurbishment of existing swimming pools and the provision of new pools.
Meanwhile, grant expenditure of £5.95 million is currently under way on the 50 metre swimming pool, under construction at the University of Limerick.
The Irish Sports Council allocated a grant of £164,891 this year to Swim Ireland, which is the national governing body for swimming. In addition, grants totalling £20,400 were allocated to seven individual swimmers under the international carding scheme for 2000.
Finally, Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Limited, CSID, has recently issued an invitation for interested parties to design, build, finance, operate and maintain an aquatic and leisure centre in Abbotstown, as part of the Campus and Stadium Ireland Development.
Comparable information regarding support for swimming in other EU countries is not readily available in my Department.
