Vol. 554 No. 5
866 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position and status of an application for funding to provide a new swimming pool in Kilkenny city as submitted by the Borough Council; if a timeframe will be given within which the project will be funded; and when work will commence on site. [15884/02]
Under the local authority swimming pool programme 2000-2002, which is administered by my Department, there are four stages in a swimming pool project following the submission of a feasibility study. These, in order of progress, are: preliminary report; contract documents; tender; and construction. My Department's technical advisors, the Office of Public Works, evaluate each stage and local authorities cannot proceed to the next stage of a project unless prior approval issues from my Department. Grant-aid is allocated only when tenders have been received for the project and will be capped at the time of allocation. Kilkenny Borough Corporation has submitted a preliminary report in respect of the proposed new pool in Kilkenny. This report is currently being examined by the Office of Public Works and the proposal will be considered further once this assessment has been completed.
867 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when he will give approval for the proposed new swimming pool in Tuam, County Galway to proceed to construction stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15993/02]
Under the local authority swimming pool programme, which is administered by my Department, there are four stages in a swimming pool project, following the submission and approval of a feasibility study. These, in order of progress, are preliminary report; contract documents; tender; and construction. My Department's technical advisers, the Office of Public Works, evaluate each stage and local authorities cannot proceed to the next stage of a project unless prior approval issues from my Department. Grant aid is allocated only when tenders have been received for the project and will be capped at the time of allocation. The preliminary report in respect of the replacement swimming pool in Tuam was approved in March 2002. My Department is awaiting the contract documents for the project to be submitted by Galway County Council. The proposal will be considered further on receipt of this documentation.
