Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

The swimming pool programme has been rolling out at a fast pace right up to the present week, in which a project in Kilkenny will be opened. A total of 55 swimming pools have been approved under the programme, most of which have been built. While I do not have the precise figures to hand, I understand that approximately 12 remain that either are in construction or are finalising planning. The programme is by no means stopped although the Deputy is correct to state that I have not opened another round at present. This is true as I do not have the resources at present to so do. Nevertheless, it is wrong to state that nothing is happening. This programme has been hugely successful and I will continue with that.

On the sports capital side, approximately €800 million has gone into small clubs nationwide in recent years, including sports such as rugby, soccer, Gaelic football, boxing and others, and rightly so. This programme has been highly successful and even last year, I maintained a €50 million package. A programme was announced and delivered on and successful applicants were duly informed. In the past ten years, this programme has had a major impact on local areas. Clearly, as Minister with responsibility for sport, I would like to do more and would like to have more money to spend. At present, however, that simply is not possible. Equally however, I would like to complete the programmes for which I have the resources in place, such as the swimming pool programme, over the next year or two.

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