Vol. 566 No. 3
291 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the commitments towards provisional funding given with regard to the proposed new public swimming facility in Youghal, County Cork; the conditions on which such funding will be made available; the amount of funding involved; when such funding will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12714/03]
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 of a feasibility study. These, in order of progress, are preliminary report, contract documents and 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 approved for the project and will be capped at the time of allocation.
Under the programme, grants of up to a maximum of €3.8 million are available towards either the refurbishment of existing pools or the provision of a new pool subject, in either case, to the total grant not exceeding 80% of the eligible cost of the project or, in the case of projects located in designated disadvantaged areas, 90% of the eligible cost. Support is available towards the cost of the swimming pool, toddler pool, sauna and steam room.
In March 2003 I approved the contract documents for the proposed new swimming pool in Youghal. This approval allows Youghal Town Council to seek tenders for the work proposed. It is a matter for the town council to progress this matter and on receipt of the tender documentation, the proposal will be considered further by my Department.
