Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 141: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the projects, of the 57 projects under the local authority swimming pool programme, which are complete, under construction, about to start construction, at tender stage, contract document stage and preliminary report stage; when the review of the scheme, whose closing date was July 2000, will be complete; if he intends to have a new scheme in place in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24258/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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My 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 current round of this Programme was 31 July 2000 and since then a total 57 projects have or are being dealt with. Of the 57 projects within the Programme, 19 have been completed and 14 are now under construction or are about to start construction. In addition, 24 other projects are at various stages in the Programme — 7 at tender stage, 9 at contract document stage and 8 at preliminary report stage. Details of these projects are provided hereunder. The Deputy should note that the progress of projects through the various stages of the programme is largely determined not by my Department, but by the speed at which local authorities progress their individual projects.

My Department is carrying out an Expenditure Review of the Programme which is examining, among other things, how it has worked to date and what amendments, if any, are required to ensure its effective and efficient delivery. This Review is expected to be completed by end July. On completion of this Review, the question of re-opening the Programme can be addressed.