As the Deputy is aware, in January 2016, my Department contacted local authorities and sought expressions of interest in a limited round of swimming pool allocations for the construction of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools, subject to funding becoming available from other projects where those projects would not be progressed.
The local authorities were informed that they would be required to show inter alia that they would have chargeable title to the proposed facility, would be able to progress the project without delay and that they would also need to show that the pool would serve an existing need for such a facility. Kildare County Council submitted an expression of interest for a pool in Maynooth, but because the Council did not have chargeable title to the proposed facility, that expression of interest was invalid.
There are four swimming pool projects in the current programme, and the priority in 2017 is on progressing these projects.
In relation to the future funding of swimming pools, my Department is currently finalising a review of national sports policy. This includes a specific focus on how Government should fund sports facilities including swimming pools in the years ahead. I would hope to be in a position to publish the new sports policy later this year.
