John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

God forbid that any of us should ever become involved in pre-election posturing. Priority must be given to the large number of swimming pools still being processed. It is not proposed to re-open the swimming pools programme at present. However, the question of doing so will be considered following an expenditure review of the programme being carried out by my Department and which is expected to be completed later this year. The review is examining issues such as how the programme has worked to date, the benefits which have accrued to areas in which pools have been built and what amendments, if any, are required to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of the programme.

The current programme, under which 55 projects are being or will be dealt with, has been singularly successful. Local communities have benefited considerably. Twenty-five projects have been allocated grant aid, of which 15 have been completed. Construction work has been completed on two others which are due to open shortly and a further eight are under construction. Six projects are at tender stage, 15 at contract document stage and nine at preliminary report stage.

There are 73 local authority pool facilities throughout the country, of which 63 are indoor and ten outdoor. Some, however, are open only on a seasonal basis or are not operational, with several having been closed for some time. I have no doubt a new programme will be required once we have substantially proceeded through the current programme. I sincerely hope this will take place during the course of my term as Minister or that of my successor.

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