Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 236: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when a new swimming pool programme will be put in place. [16626/05]

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

The closing date for receipt of applications under the current round of the local authority swimming pool programme was 31 July 2000, and the priority up to now has been to support the 55 projects submitted for consideration. Of these 55 projects, 25 have been allocated grant aid, with 15 completed and ten at construction stage. The remaining 30 projects are at various stages in the process, with six at tender stage, 15 at contract documents stage and nine at preliminary report stage.

The question of re-opening the programme will be considered following an expenditure review of the programme which is being carried out by my Department and is expected to be completed later this year. The review is examining issues such as how the programme has worked to date, the benefits which have accrued to the areas where pools have been built and what amendments, if any, are required to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of the programme.