Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 October 2020
75. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the funding announced mid-year for swimming pools will be open by an organisation (details supplied) for applications; the discussions she has had with the organisation relation to the delay in making this funding available; her plans in providing extra funding for this purpose in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32171/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the July Jobs Stimulus, I announced a special fund of €2.5 million to support the reopening of publicly accessible swimming pools in recognition of the particular challenges pool operators face in reopening to the public.
The funding will be distributed to swimming pools through an open and transparent application process administered by Ireland Active (the association for leisure, health and fitness in Ireland). A Steering Group of Sport Ireland, Swim Ireland and Ireland Active has been established to oversee, assess and monitor the process.
The Covid-19 Swimming Pool Grant scheme opened for applications on Monday 19 October and the closing date for submission of applications is Monday 2 November. It is expected, at this point, to communicate the outcome of the application process in early December. This is dependent on the volume of applications received.
Ireland Active will host a funding application workshop, along with Swim Ireland, on Friday 23 October.
Application forms and further information are available on the Ireland Active website irelandactive.ie
No decisions have yet been made regarding the allocation of funding for sport in 2021. The Board of Sport Ireland will make decisions in that regard in due course.
