Vol. 556 No. 4
175 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will make additional funding available to enable a six lane swimming pool to be constructed in Tuam, County Galway in lieu of a five lane pool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20744/02]
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 and approval of a feasibility study. These, in order of progress, are preliminary report, contract documents, tender and construction. My Department's technical advisors at 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 approved for the project and will be capped at the time of allocation.
Under the programme, grants of up to a maximum of €3,809,214 are available 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. Priority is given to projects based in RAPID areas. Support is available towards the cost of the swimming pool, toddler pool, sauna and steam room.
The preliminary report in respect of the pool in Tuam was approved in March 2002. My Department is currently awaiting the contract documents for the project to be submitted by Galway County Council. The proposal will be considered further on receipt of this documentation. Galway County Council has given no indication to date to my Department that it wished to provide a six-lane swimming pool in Tuam. Should it wish to do so, it should bear in mind that this will add to the cost of the project and that, as already pointed out, there is a maximum grant available from my Department and that the balance of the cost of the project will have to be met by the local authority. The dimensions of the standard pool, as outlined in my Department's procedures for the planning, approval and financing of swimming pools and technical guidelines, specify a length of 25 metres and a width of 9 metres. A pool of 9 metres width normally accommodates five swimming lanes.
