Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 78: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of public swimming pools in the north city and County Dublin area; the proposals for new pools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11531/07]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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Funding is provided by my Department to local authorities towards the capital costs of a new or replacement public swimming pool or the refurbishment of an existing pool under the terms of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme. The Programme provides for a maximum grant of €3.8million. Where a project is being undertaken by an organisation other than a local authority, the proposal must be considered, supported and submitted by the local authority. Before supporting such a project, the local authority would have to 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, would have a suitable level of public access. Consequently, the question of the location or operation of public swimming pools in any particular area is a matter in the first instance for the relevant local authority.

Under the current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme, which closed to applicants on 31st July, 2000, the following projects in the Dublin area have been or are being dealt with:

The priority under the current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme is to continue to support those projects remaining within the programme. Of the 57 projects with the current round, 23 have been completed, 18 are under construction or about to start construction, 3 are out to tender and the remaining 13 are at various stages in the process.

My Department is completing an Expenditure Review of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme at present. 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, including Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council to submit applications under the terms that will apply.