Bernard Allen
Ceist:217 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the status of the application made by Cork City Council for grant aid for the development of Douglas swimming pool. [28909/03]
Written Answers. - Swimming Pool Projects.
The closing date for receipt of applications under the current local authority swimming pool programme, which is administered by my Department, was 31 July 2000 and there are no plans to re-open the programme at present. No application was made in respect of a swimming pool in Douglas before that date.
The position on a swimming pool for Douglas is that two meetings were held in 2001 between representatives from Cork and, in the first instance, departmental officials and subsequently, the former Minister. At both meetings the representatives were advised that the local authority swimming pool programme was closed for the time being but that capital funding might be available under the sports capital programme for elements of an integrated swimming pool complex. Funding in respect of the pool itself could be considered if and when a new phase of the local authority swimming pool programme is launched. In March 2002, Cork City Council submitted a feasibility study for a proposed development of the pool and the council were advised in the Departments letter of 17 May 2002, that the proposal could not be considered for funding under the pool programme as it was received outside the closing date for applications. The priority for the programme is to support the proposals on hand and new proposals for swimming pools cannot be considered at this time.
Kathleen Lynch
Ceist:218 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the ?3.5 million as promised by the Government for Churchfield swimming pool, Cork, will be allocated in 2003. [29129/03]
Under the local authority swimming pool programme, which is administered by my Department, the maximum grant available is €3.8 million, subject 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. Grant-aid is allocated only when tenders have been approved for the project and the grant amount is capped at the time of allocation.
The tender documentation for the refurbishment of Churchfield swimming pool is under consideration in the Department and I hope to be in a position to respond to Cork City Council shortly.