Vol. 542 No. 6
264 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if his attention has been drawn to the fact that neither Bray nor Greystones have a public swimming pool; the funding he will make available to ensure that a public swimming pool is built; and when funding will be made available. [25450/01]
Under the Swimming Pool Programme 2000-2002 which is administered by my Department, an application has been received in relation to the provision of a new swimming pool in Greystones and two applications were submitted by Bray Urban District Council; a refurbishment proposal from Presentation College and a second in relation to a proposed new pool in the town. To facilitate my Department's assessment of these three applications, the local authority recently indicated its priority requirement in the context of its policy as to how the swimming pool needs of the North Wicklow area can be best met in a viable and sustainable manner. This priority requirement is under consideration by the Department at present.
Grants of up to £3 million are available under the swimming pool programme 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.
In general there are four stages in a swimming pool project under the programme. In order of progression, these stages are: Preliminary Report; Contract Document; Tender and Construction. The Department's technical advisers, the Office of Public Works, evaluate each stage and local authorities cannot proceed to the next stage of a project unless prior approval issues from my Department. Grants are not allocated until such time as tenders for a project have been received.
