Vol. 557 No. 5
176 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the cutback on the grants for provision and renovation of swimming pools announced in the Estimates of 41% will affect the grant committed to Ballybunion health and leisure centre by the Taoiseach in November 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22994/02]
Under the local authority swimming pool programme, which is administered by my Department, there are four stages in a swim ming 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, 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. Support is available towards the cost of the swimming pool, toddler pool, sauna and steam room.
The total funding allocation for the swimming pool programme is €57.14 million. This has not been cut or amended in any way. I am satisfied the Estimates provision for 2003 for the programme is sufficient to meet the anticipated demand for funding, given the pattern of drawdown to date in this multi-annual programme.
In the case of Ballybunion health and leisure centre, a preliminary report submitted by Kerry County Council has been assessed by the Office of Public Works, which has requested further information on the breakdown of costs for the proposed facility. The completion of the first stage of the pool process, the approval of the preliminary report, will be considered further, once this additional information has been received from the council.
