John McGuinness
Question:171 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the status of a report being prepared on the provision of a swimming pool in Kilkenny city. [23954/02]
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 documents; 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 approved for the project and will be capped at the time of allocation.
In the case of Kilkenny swimming pool, Kilkenny Borough Corporation has submitted a preliminary report in respect of this pool. This report has been examined by the Office of Public Works and the proposal is currently being considered further by my Department. On completion of this consideration, my Department will be in contact with Kilkenny Borough Corporation.