Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 4 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 3

Written Answers. - Swimming Pool Projects.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

45 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the position regarding the provision of a swimming pool and recreation centre for Monaghan town; his views on whether it is unacceptable that young top class swimmers should have to travel long distances to get their necessary training for competition purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22476/01]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

In June 1998 my Department allocated a grant of approximately £280,000 towards refurbishment work at Monaghan swimming pool. This grant was subsequently increased to £300,000 in November 1999 to provide for additional works that were deemed necessary. This grant has not yet been drawn down in full as a final account in relation to these works, required to facilitate the payment of the balance of grant outstanding, is awaited from the local authority concerned.

I had been aware for some time of the need for improved swimming facilities around the country. To address this, the Government approved a considerably accelerated programme of investment in refurbishment and provision of new pools under the local authority swimming pool programme. My Department now has £45 million funding for this programme over the three-year period 2000-02, effectively increasing the annual budget from the £3 million per annum provided by the previous government to £15 million over these three years.

Under the swimming pool programme, 2000- 20, grants of up to £3 million are available towards both the refurbishment of existing pools and the provision of new pools, subject in both cases to the total grant not exceeding 80 per cent of the eligible cost of the project or, in the case of projects located in designated disadvantaged areas, 90 per cent of the eligible cost. Support is available towards the swimming pool, toddler pool, sauna and steam room and ancillary accommodation that relates directly to the swimming pool.

All local authorities were invited to submit proposals under the programme and a total of 51 such proposals were received in my Department by the closing date of 31 July 2000. As the feasibility study in relation to the redevelopment of Monaghan swimming pool was not submitted to my Department until April 2001, it has not been possible to have it considered under the current programme.

My Department has also provided substantial funding towards the provision of the new 50 metre swimming pool in Limerick, which is due to open later this year. The Government has more recently approved the development of an aquatic and leisure centre, at the Campus and Stadium Ireland site at Abbotstown, incorporating a full competition size 50 metre pool. Construction work on this facility commenced earlier this summer with a view to completion in time for the Special Olympics which are being held in Dublin in 2003.