Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 209: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will intervene in the proposed closure of St. Paul's Swimming Pool, Raheny; and if he will outline new swimming facilities on the north side of Dublin in 2006. [15560/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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As I indicated in my reply to similar parliamentary questions on 29 March last, the swimming pool in question was built, I understand, by a religious order and while privately owned and operated, has been open to the public. I also understand that the pool receives some financial support from Dublin City Council. Under the local authority swimming pool programme, my Department provides grant aid to local authorities towards the capital costs of a new or replacement public swimming 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. Where a project is being undertaken by an organisation other than a local authority, the proposal must be considered, supported and submitted by the relevant local authority. Before supporting a project, the local authority must be satisfied that the proposal is viable, that the balance of funding required to complete the project is available and that the project, when completed, will have a suitable level of public access. Consequently, again as I indicated in March, questions relating to the location or operation of a public swimming pool should be directed towards the relevant local authority.

The priority under the current round of the local authority swimming pool programme, which is administered by my Department and where the deadline for submission of applications was 31 July 2000, is to continue to support those projects remaining to be completed. Of the 57 projects being dealt with, 32 have been grant aided, of which 18 have been completed, leaving 14 under construction or about to begin construction. The remaining 25 projects are at various stages in the programme — six are at tender stage, 11 at contract document stage and eight at preliminary report stage. I am pleased that activity under the programme has increased considerably as evidenced by the results for 2005 and 2006 to date where I approved: grant aid for eight projects which permits the developers to proceed with placing the contracts and having the work commence; contract documents for 12 projects allowing them to invite tenders for the projects; and preliminary reports for nine projects which permit the preparation of contract documents.

My Department is carrying out an expenditure review which is examining, among other things, the number and nature of projects supported and what amendments, if any, are required to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of the programme. On the completion of this review, which I expect will be available by mid-year, the question of re-opening the programme to new applications by local authorities will be considered.

Under the current round of the local authority swimming pool programme the following projects have been or are being dealt in the Dublin area as of end March 2006: Skerries — contract document stage; Finglas — replacement pool — completed; Ballymun — replacement pool — completed; Ballyfermot — replacement pool — construction stage; St Michael's House — new — tender stage; St Joseph's House — refurbishment — preliminary report stage; Jobstown — new — construction stage; Clondalkin — replacement — construction stage; Glenalbyn — refurbishment — contract document stage; and Dundrum — replacement — preliminary report stage.