Swimming Pool Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2015

Tuesday, 23 June 2015

Questions (648)

Anthony Lawlor

Question:

648. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he anticipates running a new round of the local authority swimming pool programme; the criteria that would need to be met for a swimming pool to be granted in an area; and if the pronounced regional demographic growth in areas such as north Kildare will be taken into consideration in the allocation of funding. [24729/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme grant aid to a maximum of €3.8 million is provided to local authorities towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools. The current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme was closed to new applicants on 31 July 2000.

My priority now is the completion of the projects in the existing Programme. No decision has been taken on any new round of the Programme. If the Programme re-opens it would be open to each Local Authority, including Kildare County Council, to submit an application under the terms that would apply at that time.