Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 214: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of public swimming pools in the control of the local authorities here; the number planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5948/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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As far as the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism is aware, there are 74 local authority swimming pool facilities — 64 indoor pools and ten outdoor pools — in this country. Some pools are open on a seasonal basis only. A number of pools which have been closed for some time are being replaced.

The Department administers the local authority swimming pool programme, which 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 closing date for receipt of applications under the programme was 31 July 2000. Since then, 56 projects have been or are being dealt with, of which 18 have been completed and 14 are under construction or are about to start construction. The 14 projects in the latter group are in Cobh — replacement, Youghal — new, Drogheda — replacement, Ballyfermot — replacement, Jobstown — new, Clondalkin — replacement, Letterkenny — replacement, Monaghan — replacement, Ballybunion — new, Killarney — new, Askeaton — replacement outdoor pool, Portlaoise — replacement, Portarlington — refurbishment, and Longford — replacement.

Of the 24 other projects which are at various stages under the programme — four at tender stage, 13 at contract document stage and seven at preliminary report stage — seven are new pools, ten are replacement pools and seven are refurbishments of existing pools. The Department is carrying out an expenditure review of the programme, 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. The question of reopening the programme will be considered following the completion of the review.