Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 Apr 2002

Vol. 552 No. 2

Written Answers. - Swimming Pool Projects.

Alan Shatter

Question:

131 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the reason no funds were made available for a new swimming pool at Dundrum family recreation centre in his recent announcement of grants for sports clubs; if his attention has been drawn to the dilapidated condition of the current facilities at the centre; if he will make funding available in 2002 as requested; and his views on whether a new swimming pool facility is badly needed for use by the local community and cannot be provided without State funding. [12259/02]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

Under the local authority swimming pool programme, which is administered by my Department, there are four stages in a swimming pool project following the submission of a feasibility study. 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. Grant-aid is allocated only when tenders have been received for the project and will be capped at the time of allocation.

The proposed swimming pool at the Dundrum family recreation centre is one of 46 applications on hands in the current swimming pool programme. These applications are at various stages of progress. A preliminary report has been submitted by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council for the replacement of the pool in question. My Department has requested further information from the council in connection with this proposal. The application will be considered further on receipt of this information.

In deciding which applications are to be funded under the programme, my Department gives 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; a satisfactory financial plan; and the need to achieve an equitable geographical spread of funds.

The recent grant allocations referred to by the Deputy were made under the 2002 sports capital programme, which is a separate scheme to the local authority swimming pool programme under which the Dundrum pool proposal is being considered.