Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Under the local authority swimming pool programme, which is administered by my Department, grant aid to a maximum of €3.8 million is provided to local authorities towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools. This is subject in both cases to the total grant not exceeding 80% of the eligible cost of the project or, in the case of projects located in disadvantaged areas, 90% of the eligible cost. Proposals must comply with the standards set out in the Department's "Procedures for the Planning, Approval and Financing of Swimming Pools and Technical Guidelines". Under these guidelines, there are four principal stages in a swimming pool project following the submission of a feasibility study. In order of progress, these are preliminary report, contract documents, tender and construction. The Department and its technical advisers in the Office of Public Works evaluate each stage. Local authorities cannot proceed to the next stage of a project unless prior approval issues from my Department.

When the current round of the local authority swimming pool programme closed to new applicants in July 2000, an application was received from Roscommon County Council on behalf of Ballaghaderreen. This project is already included in the current round of the programme but it is obviously a matter for the local authority to progress the project. A preliminary report in respect of this swimming pool is currently awaited in the Department.

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