Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 310: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the amount of the subsidy required by the National Aquatic Centre for its operation throughout 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44760/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 311: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if a subsidy will be required for the operation of the aquatic centre in Abbotstown for the year 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44761/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 310 and 311 together.

The National Aquatic Centre (NAC) is operated by NSCDA (Operations) Ltd., a subsidiary company of the National Sports Campus Development Authority (NSCDA). All day-to-day operations of the NAC are a matter for the Authority and the operations company. Following the restoration of the NAC to the then Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Ltd., on 1 December 2006, an extensive capital programme was undertaken to restore the Centre to its original condition. Much effort has gone into rebuilding its reputation and increasing its customer base and, in that context, an initial subsidy of €1.8 million was required in its first full year of operation. In 2008 a more positive picture of operational needs has emerged and I am encouraged by the significant increase in both visitor numbers and income which is being achieved to date.

In parallel, the Authority arranged for a financial assessment study, which is benchmarking the NAC against other equivalent facilities, to be carried out. This work is now completed and it is being evaluated by the Authority. This exercise, together with the Centre's performance since it reverted to the direct control of the Authority, will inform my decisions on the funding requirements of the Centre both in the short and longer terms.