Written answers

Thursday, 17 November 2005

Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism

Swimming Pool Projects

5:00 pm

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 30: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if, in view of emphasis on obesity and fitness levels, the lack of swimming pools and the waiting list facing parents at swimming pools in Dublin city concerns him; his plans to provide funding to alleviate waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34882/05]

Photo of John O'DonoghueJohn O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is anxious to encourage the construction of attractive, public sports and leisure facilities to ensure that the Government's strategies to promote good health and fitness are advanced. As evidence of this commitment the level of funding provided in 2005 by my Department, at almost €62 million in respect of the sports capital programme, €34 million in respect of the Sports Council and €32 million in respect of the local authority swimming pool programme, shows clearly the Government's increasing commitment to sport and leisure.

In respect of the local authority swimming pool programme, my Department provides grant aid to local authorities in respect of the capital costs of a new swimming 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 and the grant is allocated at tender approval stage.

The closing date for receipt of applications under the current programme was 31 July 2000 and since then 55 projects have been or are being dealt with. Of the 55 projects within the programme, 18 have been completed and eight are under construction. Eight are at tender stage and are expected to submit the tender documentation for approval in coming months, thereby allowing construction to commence, 13 are at contract documents stage and eight are at preliminary report stage.

Eight of the overall 55 projects are in the Dublin area. Of these, two have been completed and are located in Finglas and Ballymun and two are under construction in Ballyfermot and Jobstown. The remaining four projects are at various stages of the programme, that is, the Clondalkin project is at tender stage, the Glenalbyn and Skerries projects are preparing contract documents and the Dundrum project is at preliminary report stage.

The financial profile of the local authority swimming pool programme over the last five years demonstrates the increasing level of commitment to providing a network of public pools throughout the country. The funding provided for the swimming pool programme over the past three years is €9 million, €15 million and €32 million.

The 2005 Estimate provision at €32 million, more than double the 2004 provision, includes a budget allocation of €3.7 million to support the provision of a swimming pool for special needs users at St. Michael's House in Dublin. In addition to the projects funded under the local authority swimming pool programme, the Department has also supported the provision of Ireland's first ever 50 metre pool at the University of Limerick and provided €71 million towards the development of the National Aquatic Centre at Abbotstown.

It is important to bear in mind that the local authority swimming pool programme is not centrally driven in that it provides grant aid in response to demand by local authorities. It is a matter for local authorities to devise funding and operational arrangements, as they see fit, for 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.

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. On completion of this review, the question of re-opening the programme will be considered.

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