Vol. 572 No. 1
145 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position in relation to the funding for the leisure centre in Letterkenny which was promised over a year ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22445/03]
A grant of €2,539,476 was allocated to Letterkenny Town Council under the 2000 sports capital programme, administered by my Department, towards the provision of a sports centre in the town. To date €378,910 has been paid, in respect of enabling works at the site. Letterkenny Town Council has also applied to my Department for funding towards the replacement of a swimming pool in Letterkenny, to be part of the overall sports complex. Under the local authority swimming pool programme, which is also 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 document; tender; and construction. My Departments 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 approved for the project and is capped at the time of allocation.
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. 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 new pools, subject in both cases 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 relation to the Letterkenny swimming pool application, the situation is that the preliminary report has been approved and, as provided for under the terms of the programme, the contract documents are now being assessed by my Department's technical advisors, the Office of Public Works. The Department is endeavouring to administer the available grants in a manner which will ensure that the sport and leisure centre can be progressed on an integrated basis.
