Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 925: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding tender documents of the proposed new swimming pool in Athy, County Kildare; when construction will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29375/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme, there are four stages in the development of a swimming pool project. These are, in order of progress, Feasibility Study/Preliminary Report; Contract Documents; Tender and Construction. My Department's technical advisors, the Office of Public Works (OPW), evaluate each stage and prior approval is required before local authorities can proceed from one stage to the next. Grant aid is formally allocated when the tender for the project is approved.

On 20 July 2006, I approved the tender submitted by Kildare County Council for the proposed replacement swimming pool in Athy town. At the same time, I approved the maximum grant of €3.8 million for the project. These approvals permitted Kildare County Council to move to the construction phase and it is now a matter for the local authority to proceed with the project.