Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 329: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when he will re-open the local authority swimming pool programme; and if he will provide funding for a project (details supplied) in County Cork. [26560/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The construction of new or the refurbishment of existing public swimming pools is grant aided under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme which is administered by my Department. The current round of the programme closed to applications on 31 July 2000 and no application was made in respect of a public swimming pool in Douglas before that closing date. The priority since than has been to progress the 57 projects under the programme. To date, 28 have been completed, 14 are under construction and the remainder are at various stages in the Programme.

My Department is completing a Value for Money and Policy Review Report of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme at present. The Report 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. Thereafter, following consideration of the recommendations in the Report, 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 Cork City Council on behalf of Douglas, to submit applications under the terms that will apply.