Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 22: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of new swimming pools, constructed since 2002, aided by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28083/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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My Department administers the local authority swimming pool programme, which provides grant aid towards the capital costs of a new pool, a replacement pool or the refurbishment of an existing pool. The programme provides for a maximum grant level of 80% of eligible costs — 90% in the case of disadvantaged areas — subject to a maximum of €3.8 million.

Since 2002, grant aid has been approved for 17 swimming pool projects. Of these, nine projects have been completed and are open. They are located in Finglas in Dublin where the project involved a replacement; in Ballinasloe where it involved a replacement; in the Aquadome in Tralee where it involved a refurbishment; in the Regional Sports and Leisure Centre in Tralee where it involved refurbishment; in the Grove Island in Limerick where it involved a new pool; in Clonmel where it involved refurbishment; in Churchfield in Cork city where it involved refurbishment; in Ballymun in Dublin where it involved a replacement; and in Tuam where it involved a replacement. The remaining eight pools, in Ballyfermot in Dublin involving a replacement, in Cobh involving a replacement, in Youghal involving a new pool, in Drogheda involving a replacement, in Jobstown in south county Dublin involving a new pool, in Letterkenny involving a replacement, in Monaghan town involving a replacement, and in Ballybunion involving a new pool, are under construction or due to start construction shortly.

The current round of the local authority swimming pool programme was closed to applications on 31 July 2000. The priority in relation to the programme is to support the 55 projects that applied for funding prior to the closing date and applications for grant aid towards the construction of swimming pools are not being considered at this time. However, my Department is carrying out an expenditure review of the programme, which is examining, among other things, how it has worked to date, the benefits which have accrued to the areas where pools have been built under the programme and what amendments, if any, are required to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of the programme. This review is expected to be completed by year end. On completion of this review, the question of re-opening the programme can be considered.