Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 23: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if restrictions were placed on the number of swimming pool projects per county in the current swimming pool programme for which applications closed on 31 July 2000; if so, the limits and if there were exceptions; if, in view of the fact that some of the projects applied for in 2000 are either under construction or have not commenced, it is appropriate to have such a time lag between the conclusion of one scheme and the commencement of the next; the consideration he is giving to the areas that would have increased dramatically since 2000 with no opportunity to apply for such a facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5539/07]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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The Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme, which is administered by my Department, is essentially driven by the requirements of local authorities for public swimming facilities. No restrictions were placed on the submission of applications by local authorities prior to the closing date of 31st July, 2000 under the current round. An application for a replacement pool was accepted from Monaghan County Council after the closing date as the only swimming pool in the county closed for health and safety reasons thus leaving the county without a public pool.

Since 2000, the priority has been to support the 57 swimming pool projects within the existing programme. 23 pool projects have been completed and opened. 16 pool projects are under construction or about to start construction and 18 other pool projects are at various stages of the process — 5 at tender stage; 7 are at contract document stage and 6 are at preliminary report stage. Expenditure under the programme has increased significantly since 2000, although annual drawdown varies according to the level of grant claims submitted by the local authorities in any one year — €7.36m in 2000, €8.12m in 2001, €3.88m in 2002, €9.00m in 2003, €17.59m in 2004, €14.10m in 2005, and €22.77m in 2006 — giving a total of €82.82m over the past 7 years. An amount of €25m is provided for 2007 in my Department's multi-annual capital programme.

In terms of assessment, projects are considered on a case-by-case basis and consideration is given to such issues as to whether the area is classified as disadvantaged, the number and geographical spread of projects within and between counties, the viability of the project, particularly in relation to operational and maintenance issues, overall funding package for the project, technical details and the Department's annual estimates provision for the Programme.

My Department is now completing an Expenditure Review of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme. The Review is examining, among other things, how the programme has worked to date and what changes, if any, are required to ensure its effective and efficient delivery. The Review is currently being finalised and it is my intention to publish it as soon as possible. Following consideration of the recommendations in the review it is my intention to launch a new round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme. When the Programme is re-opened, it will be open to all local authorities to submit applications under the terms that will apply.