Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 18 Jun 1996

Vol. 467 No. 1

Written Answers. - Refurbishment of Public Swimming Pools.

Brian Cowen

Ceist:

179 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment the number of applications received for refurbishment of public swimming pools; the location of these pools; the current status of each such application; the average amount being sought for each refurbishment in respect of those for which there are agreed costings; the extent to which current and future allocations are committed; the plans, if any, he has to seek a substantial increase in the moneys allocated for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter with particular reference to the applications from County Offaly. [12557/96]

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Howlin)

There are at present 18 proposals for the refurbishment of swimming pools at various stages of planning, with a total estimated cost of £12.8 million, before my Department. Details of these proposals are as follows:

Location	Estimated Cost	Status of Proposal
	£
Arklow	1,200,000	Preliminary Report Stage
Askeaton	55,000	Preliminary Report Stage
Athy	500,000	Preliminary Report Stage
Ballinasloe	1,300,000	Preliminary Report Stage
Birr	225,000	Preliminary Report Stage
Castlebar	1,300,000	Contract Documents Stage
Clara	249,500	Preliminary Report Stage
Edenderry	146,000	Preliminary Report Stage
Ferrybank (Phase 2)	1,500,000	Preliminary Report Stage
Kilmovee (Co. Mayo)	14,500	Preliminary Report Stage
Monaghan	116,000	Contract Documents Stage
Mullingar	562,000	Tender Stage
Naas	500,000	Preliminary Report Stage
Navan	500,000	Preliminary Report Stage
Roscommon Town	1,500,000	Contract Documents Stage
Tralee (Phase 2)	855,000	Contract Documents Stage
Waterford Crystal	1,100,000	Preliminary Report Stage
Thurles	1,170,000	Preliminary Report Stage

Preliminary Report Stage: The initial stage of a project where the general design and estimated all-in-cost are submitted.

Contract Document Stage: The second stage of a project when detailed drawings and specifications are submitted.

My Department received proposals from Offaly County Council on 6 June 1996 for remedial works at the pools specified in the above Table. The commitment of funding to these projects does not arise at this stage.

There is a provision of £2 million in my Department's Estimates for 1996 for the swimming pool programme. This provision is fully committed to projects under construction or fully approved and on which work is likely to commence later this year. Depending on progress these commitments will extend to some degree into 1997. The 1997 provision will be determined at the appropriate time. I cannot at this stage, say when it may be possible to give a firm commitment to the funding of the Offaly proposals.