Vol. 545 No. 2
145 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the position regarding funding for the proposed swimming pool in Tuam, County Galway; the stage of planning; if the plans furnished to his Department have been approved by the Office of Public Works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30126/01]
Under the local authority swimming pool programme, which is administered by my Department, there are four stages in a swimming pool project. These, in order of progress, are: 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 relation to the proposed swimming pool in Tuam, Galway County Council submitted a preliminary report to my Department last December in respect of a replacement pool proposal. My Department has received a technical assessment from the Office of Public Works in connection with this preliminary report and sought additional documentation from Galway County Council in relation to some elements of the project. While some of this additional documentation has been received, and is being assessed by Office of Public Works, at present my Department is awaiting clarification on other issues which have been raised with the local authority. Further consideration will be given to the proposal when all outstanding issues have been finalised.
Grants of up to £3 million are available under the swimming pool programme towards the provision of new or replacement pools, subject 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 cost of the swimming pool, toddler pool, sauna and steam room. Grants are allocated when tenders have been received for the project and will be capped at the time of allocation.
146 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the amount of funding which has been sought by Dublin Corporation in respect of the refurbishment and reopening of Finglas swimming pool; the amount allocated so far by his Department for this specific project; when this was allocated; the further amounts he intends to allocate for completion of the project; when this funding will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30196/01]
Under the local authority swimming pool programme, which is administered by my Department, there are four stages in a swimming pool project. These, in order of progress, are: preliminary report; contract document; tender and construction. My Department's technical advisors, 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 relation to the proposed redevelopment of Finglas swimming pool, my Department advised Dublin Corporation in August 2001 that it was open to them to seek tenders for the work involved and to submit a copy of the recommended tender, when available, to the Department. A grant can only be allocated in respect of the project after this documentation has been received and assessed by Office of Public Works. The grant will be capped at the time of allocation. The local authority will then be informed of the procedure for drawing down the grant at this stage.
Grants of up to £3 million are available under the swimming pool programme towards the provision of new or replacement pools, subject 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 cost of the swimming pool, toddler pool, sauna and steam room.
