Mr. Graham Doyle:

I possibly did not make it clear earlier that in regard to the draw down of funding under the swimming pools programme the speed of draw down does not result in the funding being lost. The funding is carried forward. The Comptroller and Auditor General referred earlier to the carry forward of capital in our Vote. Funding carried forward under the swimming pools programme would form part of that. As I said, funding in regard to the particular swimming pools mentioned is not lost rather it is carried forward if there is a delay.

In regard to swimming pools in general, I accept the comments made. As a Department, we are very supportive of swimming pools contributing to our overall objectives in terms of participation in sport and physical activity. This will be taken into consideration in the context of capital funding provision under the sports programme over the next number of years, the review of the capital plan and in terms of the sports policy on which work is currently under way.