Vol. 534 No. 3
284 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will ensure that funding is made available to Monaghan Urban District Council to provide a swimming pool and sports complex to replace the pool which has been closed; the current position on this application; the process and time span it might take to have this facility available as many groups are without a swimming pool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10785/01]
While I understand that Monaghan Urban District Council is preparing a proposal in relation to the pool in Monaghan, an application for the provision of funding for this project has not been received under the local authority swimming pool programme. All local authorities were invited to submit proposals for the development of pools to my Department by 31 July 2000 and all proposals received by that closing date are being processed under the present programme.
In general, there are four stages in a swimming pool project – preliminary report stage, contract document stage, tender stage and construction stage. The Department's technical advisers evaluate each stage and local authorities cannot proceed to the next stage of a project unless prior approval issues from this Department. Monaghan UDC have been advised of this in relation to the appointment of consultants.
In deciding which applications are to be funded under the programme, the Department will give 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.
