Paudge Connolly
Question:233 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the status of Monaghan Town Council's application for a grant to rebuild Monaghan town's swimming pool. [21845/02]
Written Answers. - Swimming Pool Projects.
Under the local authority swimming pool programme (2000-2002), 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 (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 approved for the project and will be capped at the time of allocation.
My Department has received a feasibility study for a proposed swimming pool in Monaghan, but this proposal was received after the closing date set for the current local authority swimming pool programme, which was 31 July 2000. At this time, no decision has been made regarding the invitation of new applications for swimming pools. Last week I met a number of persons associated with the project and I undertook to revert to them following my consideration of the issues raised.