John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding a new swimming pool programme, in relation to Lucan, which lost out in the previous programme due to a lack of understanding at local authority level regarding the nature of public private partnerships and swimming pools; if funding is necessary to enable local authorities to fund swimming pools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28292/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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The current round of the local authority swimming pool programme, which is administered by my Department, 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 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.

The current 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. To avail of the grant the local authority must provide the balance of the financing either directly or a combination of local authority funding, community group financing etc.

It is important to bear in mind that the local authority swimming pool programme is merely a grant scheme and it is a matter for local authorities to devise funding and operational arrangements, as they see fit, in relation to the provision of swimming facilities in their areas. Experience shows that there is potential for private sector involvement in the provision and operation of local authority swimming pool facilities and many local authorities are exploring various ways of involving the private sector in their projects. From my Department's perspective, there is no objection to the involvement of the private sector provided the generally accepted operational considerations of a public pool form part of the project.