Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 July 2017
1354. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding allocated and actually distributed to local authorities for swimming pools between 2014 and 2016 and to date in 2017; his plans to launch a new schemes of funding for such facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35373/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1355. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the numbers of requests from local authorities for funding for swimming pools in 2016 and to date in 2017; and if funding was approved. [35374/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1354 and 1355 together.
The Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP) provides grant aid to local authorities towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools.
In January 2016, my Department contacted local authorities and sought expressions of interest in a limited round of swimming pool allocations. There were three expressions of interest received for new pools, two of which were valid and both in Dublin. Having assessed existing commitments and the funding available, it was was decided to include the proposal from South Dublin County Council (SDCC) for a new swimming pool in Lucan in the LASPP. Accordingly, there are now four swimming pool projects in the current programme and the priority in 2017 is on progressing these projects.
Regarding payments between 2014 and 2016, details of all allocations and payments under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme are published on my Department's website at the following link:
http://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/allocations-and-payments
In relation to the future funding of swimming pools, my Department is currently undertaking a review of national sports policy. This includes a specific focus on how Government should fund sports facilities including swimming pools in the years ahead.
