David Stanton
Question:8 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans to further develop and support the development of swimming pools during 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31639/03]
Ceisteanna – Questions. Priority Questions. - Swimming Pool Projects.
The closing date for receipt for applications under the current round of the local authority swimming pool programme was 31 July 2000 and 55 applications have or are being dealt with under this round. Because of the long lead-time associated with such projects, it can take some time for projects to come to fruition. Of the 55 projects, 11 have been completed, four are under construction and 40 are at one of the three principal pre-construction stages of the approval process. Of these 40, five are at tender stage, 18 are at contract document stage and 17 are at the preliminary report stage.
The provision in my Department's Estimates for 2004 for the local authority swimming pool programme is €15 million. This represents an increase of 67% on the estimate provision of €9 million for 2003. All of the 2003 provision of €9 million will be spent by the end of the year.
The normal provisions applying under the programme will continue to apply in 2004. Projects must complete each of the four principal stages – preliminary report, contract documents, tender approval and construction. The maximum grant available under the programme is €3.8 million, subject 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. Grant-aid is formally allocated when a tender has been approved for the project. In addition to pool construction, approved grant aid may also be applied towards the cost of a toddler pool, sauna and steam room.
Approval for projects in 2004 will depend on a range of factors, the most important being the availability of project financing in the local authority, some of which have more than one project within the programme. In addition, such factors as compliance with technical and procedural requirement at each of the various stages of the process and the nature of managerial arrangements must be taken into account.
I congratulate the Minister on getting more money this year for the swimming pool programme. How many projects are ready to proceed to construction? What amount of money will be allocated to these projects? When will he announce the next round of projects to be given the go ahead? Has he given any consideration to a league table, whereby local authorities would know where they stood and who is next in the queue, as has happened with the schools building project in the Department of Education and Science? Has any decision been made this year on swimming pool projects?
On the question of the status of the projects, 11 have been completed, four are at construction stage, five are at tender stage, 18 are at contract document stage, and 17 are at preliminary report stage. I understand that of these 17, five are seeking approval of preliminary reports, one is preparing a new preliminary report, seven are preparing preliminary reports and four have submitted feasibility studies.
The maximum grant aid is €3.8 million. It is clear that the number of pools that can be sanctioned must be within my budget for swimming pools. We are making progress. Sometimes progress can be slow because of the various stages involved and that creates its own difficulties. I am anxious to see the swimming pool programme progress in the course of the next year. More funds are available under the programme than heretofore.
The sanctioning of contract documents and approval for tender procedure is dependent on the stage which the project has reached. Our view is that we may have sufficient funding to advance to tender stage about four pools next year.
Like Deputy Stanton I welcome the fact that more funding is available for swimming pools because of their importance for schools which use them on a daily basis. The Minister listed a number of projects which are at various stages of construction. Was he referring specifically to new swimming pools or are there any refurbishment projects? Two pools in adjoining constituencies in Naas and Athy have made application for funding for refurbishment works and some new facilities.
The programme is for new pools and for refurbishment. Both are included.
Will geographic location have a bearing on the Minister's decision when he decides to sanction projects? In regard to the four pools which he hopes to sanction this year, when will he be in a position to make that announcement?
I do not know precisely when I will make announcements. I am aware the Deputy is from Cork and that there are two swimming pools in his constituency, one in Cobh and one in Youghal.
Well done.
His colleagues, the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Michael Ahern, and Deputy Ned O'Keeffe, have informed me of that also.
I thank the Minister.