David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 34: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the funding available for the development of public swimming pools in 2004; the number of new pools he intends to sanction; when he plans to make funding available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15364/04]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A provision of €15 million has been made in my Department's Estimates for this year to meet costs associated with the local authority swimming pool programme. This provision represents an increase of 67% on the provision for 2003. So far this year, I have approved grant aid to projects located in Tuam, County Galway, Churchfield in Cork city and Ballymun in Dublin. The likely grant drawdown for these three new projects, when added to commitments from previous years, is expected to come to some €12 million in 2004. There are a number of other projects at an advanced stage in the process and under consideration in my Department. However, the Deputy will appreciate from the figures mentioned above that there is limited scope for further significant expenditure under the scheme this year.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Minister for his reply. Given what he has said, does it mean there is approximately €3 million left to be spent this year on the swimming pool programme? Will the Minister say whether this money will be spent on new pools or on the maintenance and refurbishment of older pools, or both? Will the Minister provide some information on the expenditure review currently under way in his Department associated with the swimming pool programme? When did the review begin, who initiated it, who is carrying it out, and when does he expect it to be completed?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I will answer the last question first. To assist the Department in formulating future policy on swimming pools we have commenced an expenditure review of the local authority swimming pool programme. Among other things, the review is examining how the programme has worked to date, the benefits that have accrued to areas where pools have been built through the existing programme, and what amendments, if any, are required to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of the programme. I anticipate the review should be completed by mid-year.

It is true there is only a limited amount of funds left for pools this year. As I have already indicated, we have approved grant aid for projects in Tuam, County Galway, Churchfield in Cork city and Ballymun in Dublin. There is a crying need for pools in many towns around the country and I will be discussing the allocation later in the year with the Minister for Finance in respect of 2005, to see if we can get him to increase the amount of funding available for pools. The Minister for Finance understands there is a necessity to increase the allocation. Having said that, a number of steps must be taken in the provision of a swimming pool. We should be able to advance some pools to the next stage in the process this year. However, the amount of funding currently left for expenditure on pools is limited.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

How much money is currently left in the programme? Is the Minister saying projects that were at tender stage last March will not now go ahead, such as those in Cobh and Youghal in County Cork, Letterkenny in County Donegal and Drogheda in County Louth? I understand the maximum grant for each of those is approximately €3.8 million. Is the Minister now saying the money is not available? How much is left in the kitty for new pools this year?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is difficult to answer that question because some commitments have been recognised, while others have not yet arrived. Refurbishments and new projects total about 13.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Out of 15.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Five are at construction stage, four are at tender stage, 18 are at contract document stage and 15 are at the preliminary stage. We have initiated an expenditure review and I have outlined the reasons for that. I will be seeking to advance the cause of other pools——

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We will support the Minister in that regard.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

——including Cobh and Youghal, if I can. However, I cannot give any cast-iron guarantees at this stage. All I can do is to try to advance the pools that are at tender stage, as well as advancing the others to the next stage. I am currently examining those aspects.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Will the Minister indicate how much money is left? Perhaps he can let me know later.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It will be difficult to do that, but I will try to communicate to Deputy Stanton how much money is left.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In view of the fact that the Ballybunion pool in County Kerry is now ready to go to tender, will the Minister allow it to proceed to tender stage, in lieu of extra money being made available to his Department in 2005?

Séamus Pattison (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The question relates to pools in general. The Deputy's question could be submitted as a separate question.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Ballybunion pool is currently at contract document stage. My understanding is the contract documents have been with the experts at the Office of Public Works for three or four weeks. I sincerely hope there are no technical difficulties. If there are none, the next stage would be to approve the contract documents. However, to the best of my knowledge, we have not yet received the report back from the OPW. It is anticipated it will arrive in the not too distant future. As I have indicated, I will be trying to advance as many pool projects as possible to the next stage, within the context of the resources available to me at the moment.