Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 104: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position in relation to the application for grant aid for a project (details supplied) in Co. Galway; if his Department has completed its examination of the legal aspects referred to in his reply of 27 September 2006; the outcome of the examination; when approval will be given for this project to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5889/07]

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

In 2004, Galway County Council submitted a tender to my Department seeking grant aid under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme for a project promoted by a private sector interest to construct a leisure centre, including a swimming pool, on a council site different to that initially recommended in a Feasibility Report prepared by the Council in 1999. The formal procedures under the programme, which would have been known to the Council, are that Ministerial approval is required at each of the Preliminary and Contract Document stages, before tenders are invited for a project. Notwithstanding the fact that Galway County Council pursued an alternative approach to the procurement of the facility, my Department indicated to the County Council that it would be prepared to examine a detailed proposal on its merits. My Department's main concern in such cases is to ensure that the normal characteristics of a public swimming pool, such as public access and social inclusion considerations are adequately catered for.

Since then, Galway County Council has been in contact with my Department which resulted in a proposal being made by the Council in June 2006. Given the need to protect the State's interest arising from any grant aid awarded under the programme, my Department had certain legal aspects involved examined by the Chief State Solicitor's office. Arising from that examination and in order to progress the matter further, Department Officials met with Galway County Council in November 2006 and proposals which emerged from that meeting are the subject of ongoing negotiations between the Council and the promoter and the Council and the Department. The Department is awaiting a reply for the Council to a recent letter.