Swimming Pool Projects.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 December 2004

Thursday, 16 December 2004

Questions (121)

Mary Wallace

Question:

118 Ms M. Wallace asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the 55 locations at which swimming pools are to be provided under his Department’s swimming pool programme for which the closing date was four years ago; if, under the expenditure review programme being undertaken, consideration will be given to opening the programme to counties such as Meath which are not at present included in the list of 55 which applied in July 2000 and in which the population has exploded, particularly in the south east at locations such as Ratoath and Bettystown; his views on whether such locations should be permitted to make applications at this time, especially in view of the fact that the review of this four year programme is now taking place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34049/04]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O’Donoghue)

Of the 55 swimming pool projects within the current programme, 14 have been completed, nine are under construction or about to start construction, four are at tender stage, 13 are at contract document stage and 15 are at preliminary report stage. These projects are located in Arklow, Courtown-Gorey, Dundalk, Ennis, Enniscorthy, Monaghan, where there will be two — refurbishment initially, but now a new pool, Navan, Wicklow, Roscommon, Tralee — also two — Ballinasloe, Tuam, Loughrea, Finglas, Ballymun and Ballyfermot in Dublin, Limerick City, Clonmel, Cork City, Cobh, Youghal, Dunmanway, Drogheda, Jobstown and Clondalkin in south County Dublin, Letterkenny, Killarney, Ballybunion, Naas, Athy, Portarlington, Portlaoise, Askeaton, Thurles, Longford, Glenalbyn and Dundrum in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Skerries, Claremorris, Castlebar, Birr, Clara, Edenderry, Tullamore, Bray, Greystones, Kilkenny, Roscrea, Ballybofey, Buncrana, Ferrybank in Wexford, New Ross and Ballaghadereen.

The expenditure review of the local authority swimming pool programme, which is under way in my Department and due to be completed next year, will examine how the programme has worked to date, the benefits which have accrued to areas in which pools have been built and what changes, if any, are required to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of the programme. In addition, the review is expected to assist in formulating future policy on the construction of swimming pools by local authorities. In this context, the question of re-opening the pool programme will be considered when the review is completed.