Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018
1296. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for a public swimming pool in north County Kildare in view of the fact no such facility exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15811/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 the 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, one in Lucan and the other in Ballyogan. The third was for North Kildare but was not valid as the Council did not have title to the proposed site. Following consideration of the expressions of interest, and the two valid proposals for new pools, it 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 LASPP and the priority in 2018 will be on progressing these projects.
In relation to the future funding of swimming pools, the upcoming National Sports Policy, which I expect will be considered by Government in the coming weeks, with a view to its publication shortly thereafter, will include a specific focus on how Government should fund sports facilities, including swimming pools, in the years ahead.
