Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 202: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the fact that communities such as Carrickmacross, County Monaghan are eager that their towns develop public swimming pools with ancillary facilities; if he will launch a new local authority swimming pool programme; when he will announce details of same; the bodies that will be in a position to apply for such funding; the format the programme is expected to take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31384/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme is progressing the development of 57 new or refurbished public swimming pools around the country. Of these, 43 have been grant aided of which 29 have been completed with 14 under construction. These 43 pools represent an investment of some €338m by Local Authorities attracting grant aid of some €129m.

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 Monaghan County Council on behalf of Carrickmacross, to submit an application under the terms that will apply. There is a provision of €184m in the National Development Plan, 2007-2013 in respect of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme.