Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 April 2007
313 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when the expenditure review of the local authority swimming pool programme will be completed; and when it is expected that a new round of the local authority swimming pool programme will be launched. [13904/07]
View answerMy Department is completing an Expenditure Review of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme at present. The Review is examining, among other things, how the programme has worked to date and what changes, if any, are required to ensure its effective and efficient delivery. The Review is currently being finalised and it is my intention to publish it shortly.
Following consideration of the recommendations in the review it is my intention to launch a new round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme as soon as possible.
314 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will report on the programme for the grant aiding of local authority swimming pools and bodies supported by local authorities; when the current programme was advertised; the names of the successful applications that have been approved under the scheme; when the next scheme will be advertised; and if it will provide for the refurbishment of existing pools. [13951/07]
View answerFunding is provided by my Department to local authorities towards the capital costs of a new or replacement public swimming pool or the refurbishment of an existing pool under the terms of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme. The Programme provides for a maximum grant of €3.8million. Where a project is being undertaken by an organisation other than a local authority, the proposal must be considered, supported and submitted by the local authority. Before supporting such a project, the local authority would have to be satisfied that the proposal is viable, that the balance of funding required to complete the project is available and that the project when completed, would have a suitable level of public access.
There are 57 projects within the current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme, which closed to applicants on 31 July 2000. Of these, 23 have been completed, 18 are under construction or about to start construction, 3 are out to tender and the remaining 13 are at earlier stages in the process. Full details are as follows:
Projects Completed (23)
Arklow (Refurbish) — official opening January 2000
Courtown/Gorey (New) — official opening 2001
Dundalk (New) — official opening March 2002
Ennis (New) — official opening September 2003
Enniscorthy (New) — official opening January 2000
Monaghan (Refurbish) — re-entered programme for replacement
Navan (New) — official opening August 2000
Wicklow (New) — (Sept 99) official opening June 2001
Roscommon (Refurbish) — official opening April 2002
AquaDome, Tralee (Refurbish) — opened 2003
Ballinasloe (Replace) — official opening October 2003
Finglas, Dublin (Replace) — opened 04
Grove Island, Limerick (New) — opened 04
Sports and Leisure Centre, Tralee (Refurbish) — opened 04
Clonmel (Refurbish) — opened 04
Churchfield, Cork City (Refurbish) — opened 05
Ballymun, Dublin City (Replace) — opened 05 (limited opening)
Tuam, Co Galway (Replace) — opened Sept 05
Drogheda, Co Louth (Replace) — opened May 2006
Monaghan town (Replace) — opened 19 August 2006
Cobh, Co Cork (Replace) — opened 30 August 2006
Youghal, Co Cork (New) — opened 18 September 2006
Jobstown, South County Dublin (New) — opened 13 November 2006
Under Construction or about to Start Construction (18)
1. Ballyfermot, Dublin City (Replace)
2. Letterkenny, Co. Donegal (Replace)
3. Ballybunion, Co Kerry (New)
4. Clondalkin, South County Dublin (Replace)
5. Killarney, Co Kerry (New)
6. Askeaton, Co. Limerick (Replace outdoor pool)
7. Portlaoise, Co. Laois (Replace)
8. Portarlington, Co. Laois (Refurbish)
9. Longford, Co.Longford (Replace)
10. Thurles, Co Tipperary (Replace)
11. Michael's House, Dublin (New)
12. Athy, Co. Kildare (Replace
13. Birr, Co. Offaly (Refurbish)
14. Naas, Co. Kildare (Replace)
Kilkenny City (Replace)
Tullamore, Co. Offaly (Replace outdoor pool)
Bray, Co. Wicklow (Replace)
Greystones, Co. Wicklow ( New)
Out to Tender (3)
Claremorris, Co. Mayo (Replacement)
Roscrea, Tipperary, NR (New)
Dundrum, Co. Dublin (Replace)
Preparing Contract Documents (7)
Skerries, Fingal (New)
New Ross, Co. Wexford (Replace)
Buncrana, Co. Donegal (Refurbish)
Glenalbyn, Co. Dublin (Refurbish)
Castlebar, Co. Mayo (Replace)
Dunmanway, Co. Cork (Refurbish)
Ferrybank, Co. Wexford (Refurbish)
Preliminary Report Stage (6)
Edenderry, Co. Offaly (Replace)
Clara, Co. Offaly (Refurbish)
Ballybofey, Co. Donegal (New)
Ballaghadereen, Co. Roscommon (New)
Loughrea, Co. Galway (New)
St. Joseph's School for Deaf Boys.
While the priority under the current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme is to continue to support those projects remaining within the programme, my Department is also completing an Expenditure Review of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme. The Review is examining, among other things, how the programme has worked to date and what changes, if any, are required to ensure its effective and efficient delivery. The Review is currently being finalised and it is my intention to publish it as soon as possible. Following consideration of the recommendations in the review it is my intention to launch a new round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme as soon as possible. When the Programme is re-opened and advertised, it will be open to all local authorities to submit applications under the terms that will apply.
