Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

We have not made a decision in regard to another round. Any funding allocated thus far has to be drawn down by the end of the year. We will give further consideration to the schemes to be brought forward next year and we are announcing our capital programme tomorrow. I cannot say anything more in that regard.

The local authority swimming pool programme provided opportunities to build swimming pools in various areas. As the major cost that local authorities face in respect of swimming pools is the heating bill, facilitating energy saving measures and wheelchair accessibility will be a godsend to local authorities. The Government and local authorities would benefit from the savings achieved on heating swimming pools. For now, I hope the pools that have received money will have the work completed by the end of the year. It is major investment and it is also part of the stimulus budget to create employment. Some of the councils expected me to give money to local authorities that did not make applications. We cannot do that. If they do not make an application, they cannot get funding.

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