Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when, in view of the fact that the current programme for the construction of swimming pools here closed in 2000, it is envisaged to re-open this programme for grant applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33860/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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A sum of €184m has been provided in the National Development Plan 2007-2013 to support existing projects in 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. However, given the current budgetary constraints, it is not intended to launch a new round of the Programme at this time.

A total of 57 applications were received under the current round of the Programme. Of these 37 projects have been completed and opened to the public, 8 other pools, which have been allocated funding, are under construction and another 12 are at various stages of development and will be allocated funding by my Department in due course.

The current round of the Programme has made noteworthy progress over the last 8 years when consideration is given to the lead in time in the development of pool projects. Our priority now is to work with the relevant local authorities in bringing into public use the remaining 20 pools which are included in the current round.

A Value for Money and Policy Review Report of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme was carried out by the Department to examine, among other things, how the Programme has worked to date, and what changes, are required to ensure its effective and efficient delivery. The Report has now been published and the recommendations will be considered in the context of future rounds of the Programme.