Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the expected level of public funding to the National Aquatic Centre in 2009; if more than €1.6 million in a subsidy will be required to sustain the centre in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2480/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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My understanding of this from the beginning was that the NAC should be self-financing and that that would happen in the short term rather than the long term. The NAC has cost €70 million in its construction and €1.8 million in 2007, and the Minister tells me now that it cost just over €1 million in 2008. I must defer to Deputy Mitchell for information that she had earlier which would suggest that €1.6 million was the figure required for 2008.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I have just given the up-to-date figure, which is just over €1 million.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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It is not €1.6 million.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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It is just over €1 million.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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I welcome the increase in the numbers of visitors and usage.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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On a point of order, I understand there is a rates bill of €500,000 that must be paid.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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This is a priority question. That is not a point of order.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Based on the information Deputy Mitchell had, is that rates bill included in the figure the Minister has given me?

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I cannot say. However, I presume not because it would not be a function of my Department to pay rates.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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In effect then the cost will be €1.6 million.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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If the Deputy wants to know the position which I have given her, last year the subsidy directly from my Department to the National Aquatic Centre was just over €1 million and this year it will be €1 million.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Can we expect that the €600,000 which would appear to be due in rates will come from the Exchequer somewhere along the way?

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I cannot tell. I do not deal with rates and do not know from where that figure arises.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Can I point out it is a significant amount of money that the taxpayer is——

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Maybe the local authority could play its part and make the NAC rates-free. It has the power to do so.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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And every other swimming pool in the country.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Yes, fine——

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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I thank the Minister.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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——if it is a problem.