Vol. 469 No. 2
91 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment the amount of capital grants made available to statutory authorities for the provision of or repair to swimming pools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17075/96]
My Department pays up to 80 per cent of the approved cost of new pools and up to 100 per cent of approved refurbishment costs. My Department also provides grants of up to 80 per cent towards the provision of certain ancillary facilities in new pools and as part of the refurbishment of existing pools. A provision of £2.5 million is available in my Department's Estimates for 1996 for grants towards the provision and refurbishment of swimming pools, whether sponsored by local authorities or by voluntary bodies in co-operation with local authorities.
