Vol. 549 No. 3
381 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the progress he has made in funding the proposed new swimming pool for Ballinasloe, County Galway; the stage of the project; if his attention has been drawn to the inconvenience and frustration that is felt by the people of Ballinasloe and the surrounding areas over the lack of swimming facilities in the town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6670/02]
Under the local authority swimming pool programme, which is administered by my Department, there are four stages in a swimming pool project, following an initial submission and approval of a feasibility study. These, in order of progress, are: preliminary report; con tract document; tender and construction. My Department's technical advisers, the Office of Public Works, OPW, evaluate each stage and local authorities cannot proceed to the next stage of a project unless prior approval issues from my Department. Grant-aid is allocated only when tenders have been received for the project and will be capped at the time of allocation.
I have approved the contract documentation submitted by Ballinasloe Town Council for the proposed replacement swimming pool in Ballinasloe. The council may now seek tenders for the work proposed.
Question No. 382 answered with Question No. 379.
Question No. 383 answered with Question No. 378.
