Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

The National Aquatic Centre, NAC, is operated by NSCDA (Operations) Limited, a subsidiary company of the National Sports Campus Development Authority. All day-to-day operations of the NAC are a matter for the authority and the operations company.

Following the restoration of the NAC to the then Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Limited, on 1 December 2006, an extensive capital programme was undertaken to restore the centre to its original condition. Much effort has gone into rebuilding its reputation and increasing its customer base and, in that context, an initial subsidy of €1.8 million was required in its first full year of operation. In 2008 a more positive picture of operational needs emerged and I have been encouraged by the significant increase in both visitor numbers and income which is being achieved to date. In more specific terms, while in 2007 there were 576,000 visitors, in 2008 there were over 700,000 visitors. Notwithstanding the marked improvement in the level of activity and income at the NAC during 2008, there has still been a requirement of a subsidy of just over €1 million last year. This is a substantial reduction from €1.8 million in 2007.

In parallel with overseeing the ongoing operation, the authority undertook an international benchmarking exercise comparing the performance of the NAC against other equivalent facilities throughout Europe. This work was recently completed and has been evaluated both by the authority and by my officials. The clear message is that all publicly accessible 50 metre indoor pools receive direct or indirect subsidies from Governments, local authorities, sports councils, universities and/or other like facilities. Clearly, therefore, the performance of the NAC is not dissimilar to other like facilities.

Accordingly, and based on the National Aquatic Centre projections for trading in 2009, a subsidy in the order of €1 million will be needed by the authority for this purpose, out of its provision for 2009, in respect of this year's trading. I have indicated to the authority the priority which I attach to increasing the income at the National Aquatic Centre and I have confidence the Authority will continue to work to this as a priority.

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