On a more general level, the Minister is pleased that throughout the country there has been steady improvement in the quality of the facilities being provided under the programme. There is increased sophistication in the applications being made by local authorities and there is a welcome emphasis on sustainability of projects. This trend of looking more closely at the life cycle of a swimming pool and the vital issue of usage rather than simply the capital cost of a project is welcome. The latter, of course, remains a critical factor. It is vital that the promotion of sport generally and the development of facilities such as swimming pools is carried out in a strategic and focused way. This means establishing priorities, avoiding overlaps and ensuring maximum public access to available facilities. The Minister is anxious to ensure that the investment of taxpayers' money by this Government provides value by ensuring that attractive, viable facilities are built. The 2003 provision of €61 million by the Minister's Department through the sports capital programme and €9 million through the local authority swimming pool programme demonstrates that the Government's commitment to sport is being sustained. Since 1998, over €12.8 million has been provided to various sports clubs in County Galway under the sports capital programme.