Vol. 543 No. 4
166 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation when he will sanction the provision of the new swimming pool for Drogheda Corporation; the details of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27309/01]
Under the local authority swimming pool programme, which is administered by my Department, there are four stages in a swimming pool project. These are, in order of progress, preliminary report, contract document, tender and construction. My 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.
In April 2000, I approved the preliminary report submitted by Drogheda Corporation in relation to the proposed refurbishment of Drogheda swimming pool. However, following assessment of the pool by consultants appointed by the corporation, my Department has been informed that the corporation now intends to submit a revised preliminary report for a new pool on the existing site, rather than proceed with its original refurbishment proposal. Further consideration will be given to this proposal on receipt of the revised preliminary report.
