Vol. 540 No. 1
451 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the position regarding funding of Askeaton swimming club under the procedures and planning, approval and financing of swimming pools and technical guidelines memorandum. [20072/01]
My Department gave approval to Limerick County Council to appoint consultants to prepare a preliminary report for the proposed redevelopment of Askeaton swimming pool in August 2000. Further consideration will be given to this proposal on receipt of the preliminary report from the council. Proposals must comply with the standards laid down in the Department's procedures for the planning, approval and financing of swimming pools and technical guidelines. As outlined in this memorandum, there are four stages in a swimming pool project – preliminary report stage, contract document stage, tender stage and construction stage. The Department's technical advisors evaluate each stage and local authorities cannot proceed to the next stage of a project, unless prior approval issues from this Department. Grants are allocated when tenders have been received for the project and will be capped at the time of allocation.
452 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he received applications for the provision of swimming pools at Bray and Greystones in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20139/01]
Bray Urban District Council submitted two applications under the swimming pool programme, a proposal in relation to a proposed new pool in Bray and a refurbishment proposal from Presentation College, Bray. An application has also been received in the Department in relation to the provision of a new pool in Greystones. To facilitate my Department's assessment of these three applications, the local authority has been requested to indicate its priority requirement in the context of its policy as to how the swimming pool needs of the North Wicklow area can be best met in a viable and sustainable manner.
453 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he has received the consultant's preliminary report on the proposal for a new swimming pool in County Kilkenny; and the progress to date on this project. [20166/01]
Following the completion of a feasibility study on swimming pool provision in County Kilkenny, the corporation decided to construct a new pool rather than refurbish the existing pool. The Department has approved the appointment of consultants for the preliminary report stage of this proposal. Further consideration will be given to the proposal when this report is available. There are four stages in a swimming pool project – preliminary report stage, contract document stage, tender stage and construction stage and grant aid is not allocated to any project until such time as tenders are received.
