Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 166: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the local authority swimming pools programme has been re-opened; if not, when is it planned to be re-opened; the proposals in place regarding the terms of the programme; if he will increase the maximum available grant aid of €3.8 million per project through the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33091/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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A Value for Money and Policy Review Report of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme is being finalised 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. The level of grant aid currently available under the programme is one of the issues addressed.

Following consideration of the recommendations and publication of the Report, it is my intention to launch a new round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme. There is a provision of €184m in the National Development Plan, 2007-2013 in respect of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made on the application by Mayo County Council regarding the provision of a new swimming pool (details supplied) under the local authority swimming pools programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33092/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The project referred to by the Deputy dates back to April 1995 when the then Minister for the Environment and Local Government approved the Preliminary Report for a major refurbishment of an existing pool. The Contract Documents for the project were approved by the then Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation in February 2000. However, Mayo County Council indicated in July 2002 that it intended to build a new public swimming pool on a site adjacent to a holiday village where certain sports facilities already existed. The council engaged consultants to prepare a revised Preliminary Report which was submitted to the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in November 2004. Some of the reasons for proposing a new site were: a new facility could be developed more quickly without any loss of amenity during the construction period of about 15 months; a new complex could be designed without the constraints which would arise if the existing structure were used; a new more efficient facility would be easier to manage and more customer friendly, particularly for people with disabilities; and much of the equipment at the existing facility was getting towards the end of its life span and would not facilitate best practice.

The work proposed for the new facility includes a 25 metre, six lane swimming pool, a children's learner pool with play features, sauna and steam room, viewing gallery, fitness gym, children's play room, meeting room and treatment room. The consultants also recommended that the building be designed in a way that other facilities could be added later.

Following detailed examination by the Department's technical advisors, OPW, the Preliminary Report for this project was approved by the then Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism in April 2005, allowing Mayo County Council to prepare Contract Documents. My Department now awaits the submission of Contract Documents for the project. It is understood that the Council intends to advance their project now that another project in the County is progressing to construction.