Jack Wall
Ceist:254 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the refurbishment of the Curragh swimming pool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2768/02]
Written Answers. - Swimming Pool Projects.
The new swimming pool-gymnasium in the Curragh Camp was completed last summer and was officially opened by the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, on 17 September 2001. The duration of the project was about one year and the final cost will be in the region of 8.1 million, £6.4 million.
It is intended to make the swimming pool facility available to families of Defence Forces personnel and to schools in the Curragh area. However, owing to a shortage of military lifeguards the pool is not being operated at full capacity at present. The facility has been made available to the schools based in the Curragh Camp but until the staffing situation improves it will not be possible to extend the use of the amenity.