Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 16 Nov 2000

Vol. 526 No. 2

Written Answers. - Swimming Pool Projects.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

118 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the degree to which swimming and coaching facilities here are capable of meeting demands with particular reference to international competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26195/00]

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

Last year my Department commissioned ILAM (Ireland), who are consultants specialising in sports facilities, to prepare a report on the condition of local authority pools built between 1966 and 1981. Thirty pools around the country were identified as being in need of refurbishment. I then secured a £45 million funding package for the swimming pool programme for the period 2000-02, effectively increasing the annual budget from £3 million per annum to £15 million over these years.

Following my announcement of the increased funding, local authorities were invited to submit proposals and in some cases to update proposals already in the Department, for the refurbishment of existing swimming pools and the construction of new pools. A total of 51 proposals were received in my Department by the closing date of 31 July 2000.

Under the swimming pool programme grants of up to £3 million are available towards both the refurbishment of existing pools and the provision of new pools, subject in both cases to the total grant not exceeding 80% of the eligible cost of the project or, in the case of projects located in designated disadvantaged areas, 90% of the eligible cost. Support is available towards the swimming pool, toddler pool, sauna and steam room and ancillary accommodation that relates directly to the swimming pool. There are four stages in the approval process for a swimming pool project and my Department gives prompt consideration to progressing each proposal to the next stage, in the context of funding available.

Work is currently in progress on the construction of new pools in Ennis, Dundalk, Gorey and Wicklow and the refurbishment of Monaghan swimming pool. Work is expected to commence on the refurbishment of Roscommon swimming pool shortly. In addition, refurbishment projects at pools in Arklow and Waterford and the construction of new pools in Enniscorthy and Navan were completed in the last year.

All these projects were grant-aided by my Department.

More recently, the Department has also committed a grant of just under £6 million towards the construction of a full competition size 50-metre swimming pool at Limerick University. Construction is progressing and the pool is scheduled for completion next year.

The Government has approved proceeding with the development of an aquatic and leisure centre at the campus and Stadium Ireland site at Abbotstown, incorporating a full competition size 50 metre pool, with a view to completion in time for the Special Olympics which is being held in Dublin in 2003.

Under the culture, recreation and sports measure of the local infrastructure sub-programme of the regional operational programmes of the NDP, a sum of £85 million has been specifically allocated for the provision of community sporting and recreational facilities for 2000-06. These facilities will be located at gateway towns to be identified in the national spatial strategy currently being undertaken by the Department of the Environment and Local Government. Once the gateway towns have been identified, proposals will be sought from local authorities, and, where appropriate, voluntary and community organisations, for the provision or upgrading of sport and recreational facilities. Work on the identification of regional gateways is scheduled for completion by mid-2001, when implementation of the measure can begin.

The national governing body for the sport has been fully engaged in the development of a national coaching development programme, and is working with relevant agencies in the development of the international standard facilities both in Limerick and at Sports Campus Ireland. Swim Ireland is also currently preparing its own strategic plan for the future development of the sport here.

The national coaching centre was established by the Government in 1992 to assist in raising the standards of coaching and training of coaches and to provide specialised training for elite sportsmen and women through a structured coaching system, a comprehensive sports science programme and optimal training facilities. The centre administers the national coaching development programme in partnership with NGBs and co-ordinates the provision of sports science and medical support for our leading sportsmen and women through the International Carding scheme.

I am satisfied that this Government has under way an ambitious programme of State assisted expansion in a wide range of swimming facilities, catering for both the elite participant and the general public throughout the country.