James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 217: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on funding an application for the proposed swimming pool (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33035/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme provides grant aid to a maximum of €3.8 million towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools. The current round of the Programme closed to applicants on 31 July 2000 and no application was submitted by Fingal Council, on behalf of Balbriggan, by that date. As such it is not possible to make funding available under the current round of the programme for a swimming pool in Balbriggan.

Given the current budgetary constraints, it is not intended to launch a new round of the Programme at this time. However, when a new round of the Programme is launched it will be open to all Local Authorities, including Fingal Council on behalf of Balbriggan, to submit an application under the terms that will apply.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the swimming pool grant scheme; and his plans to reopen this scheme and accept applications by local authorities in respect of swimming pools. [33077/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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A sum of €184m has been provided in the National Development Plan 2007 — 2013 for supporting existing projects under the current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme and for new projects to be selected following the launch of a new round of the Programme. The current round of the Programme, which closed in July 2000, has made noteworthy progress over the last 8 years when consideration is given to the lead in time in the development of pool projects.

Under the round, 36 projects have been completed and opened to the public, 9 other pools, which have been allocated funding, are under construction throughout the country and another 12 are at various stages of development. A total of €123.9m has been spent over the last 8 years under the Programme and a total of €20 million is provided for this year. Given the current budgetary constraints, it is not intended to launch a new round of the Programme at this time.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the plan of South Dublin County Council for a public swimming pool in Lucan; and the steps he is taking to deliver this project. [33078/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme provides grant aid to a maximum of €3.8 million towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools. The current round of the Programme closed to applicants on 31 July 2000 and no application was submitted by South Dublin County Council, on behalf of Lucan, by that date. As such it is not possible to make funding available under the current round of the programme for a swimming pool in Lucan.

Given the current budgetary constraints, it is not intended to launch a new round of the Programme at this time. However, when a new round of the Programme is launched it will be open to all Local Authorities, including South Dublin County Council on behalf of Lucan, to submit an application under the terms that will apply.