Michael Finucane
Ceist:163 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Environment if there are any grants available from his Department for the provision for improvements to swimming pools; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Swimming Pool Improvements.
My Department pays grants of up to 100 per cent of the cost of approved refurbishment works to local authority pools. In addition, grants of up to 80 per cent of the cost of approved additional facilities are available, where these are being provided as part of a new pool or the refurbishment of an existing pool. Works to a standard higher than provided for in my Department's guideline specification are not eligible for grants.
These provisions also apply to the refurbishment of existing facilities by voluntary organisations where the application is supported by the local authority.
There is a significant number of proposals awaiting funding under this programme for which an allocation of £1.183 million has been provided in my Department's Vote for 1993. Any new proposals for funding could only be considered when the projects currently before my Department have been allowed to progress to construction.