I propose to take Questions Nos. 596 and 597 together.
The Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP) provides grant aid to local authorities towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools. While no additional pools have been included in the main Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme, LASPP, during the past two years, two of the existing LASPP projects progressed to the formal allocation stage during that time. Those projects were:
- 2015 Dunmanway €3.8m
- 2015 Castlebar €3.8m
More recently, in January of this year, the Department contacted local authorities and sought expressions of interest in a limited round of swimming pool allocations, subject to funding becoming available from other projects where those projects would not be progressed. There were three expressions of interest received for new pools, two of which were valid and both in Dublin. Having assessed existing commitments and the funding available, including funding that will become available from withdrawn projects, it was considered prudent to progress one additional new pool project at this time. Following consideration of the expressions of interest, and the two valid proposals for new pools, it was decided to include the proposal from South Dublin County Council (SDCC) for a new swimming pool in Lucan in the LASPP.
Details of the LASPP allocations under the special energy efficiency / enhanced disabled access initiative 2015 can be found on the Department's website at the following link http://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/allocations-and-payments.