Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2005
323 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, further to Questions Nos. 547 of 7 December 2004 and 502 of 26 January 2005, the criteria he uses in deciding funding allocations under the local authority swimming pool programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3841/05]
View answer324 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of pools funded to date under the local authority swimming pool programme; the location of these pools; the number of applications which remain under consideration; when the programme will be completed; the number of pools which will be funded during the entire life of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3842/05]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 323 and 324 together.
Under the local authority swimming pool programme administered by my Department, projects are considered on a case-by-case basis and consideration is given to such issues as whether the area is classified as disadvantaged, the number and geographical spread of projects within and between counties, the viability of the project, particularly with regard to operational and maintenance issues, the overall funding package for the project, technical details and the Department's annual Estimates provision for the programme.
Fifty-five projects are being dealt with under the current programme which closed for applications on 31 July 2000. Of these, 25 projects have been grant aided, of which 15 have been completed. They are located in Arklow, Courtown-Gorey, Dundalk, Ennis, Enniscorthy, Monaghan, Navan, Wicklow, Roscommon, two in Tralee, Ballinasloe, Finglas in Dublin, Grove Island in Limerick city and Clonmel. Ten projects are under construction and are located in Ballymun and Ballyfermot in Dublin, Cobh and Youghal in County Cork, Churchfield in Cork City, Drogheda, Letterkenny, Jobstown in south County Dublin, Monaghan town and Tuam.
Thirty projects are at various stages of the programme, with two at tender stage in Killarney and Ballybunion and 13 at contract document stage in Askeaton, Athy, Claremorris, Clondalkin in south County Dublin, Dunmanway, Glenalbyn in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Longford, Naas, Portarlington, Portlaoise, Skerries, Thurles and Tullamore. A further 15 are at preliminary stages in Ballaghadereen, Ballybofey, Birr, Buncrana, Bray, Castlebar, Clara in County Offaly, Dundrum in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Edenderry, Ferrybank in Wexford, Greystones, Kilkenny, Loughrea, New Ross and Roscrea.
The priority of the programme is to support the proposals in hand. New proposals for swimming pools are not being considered at this time. However, my Department is carrying out an expenditure review on the swimming pool programme, which is examining, among other things, how the programme has worked to date, the benefits which have accrued to the areas where pools have been built through the existing programme and what amendments, if any, are required to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of the programme. This review is expected to be completed by mid-year. On completion of this review, the question of re-opening the programme can be considered.
