Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 592: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position in relation to Ballaghaderreen swimming pool project in County Roscommon. [29564/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme, which is administered by my Department, grant aid to a maximum of €3.8 million is provided to Local Authorities towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools, subject in both cases to the total grant not exceeding 80% of the eligible cost of the project or, in the case of projects located in disadvantaged areas, 90% of the eligible cost. Proposals must comply with the standards set out in the Department's "Procedures for the Planning, Approval and Financing of Swimming Pools and Technical Guidelines."

Under the Guidelines there are four principal stages in a swimming pool project following the submission of a feasibility study. These, in order of progress, are: Preliminary Report; Contract Documents; Tender and Construction. Grant-aid is allocated only when tenders have been approved for the project and is capped at the time of allocation. The Department and its technical advisors, the Office of Public Works, evaluate each stage and Local Authorities cannot proceed to the next stage of a project unless prior approval issues from the Department of Arts, Sport & Tourism.

I understand that a revised Feasibility Report was approved for Ballaghaderreen pool in October 2007, leaving Roscommon County Council to proceed to the next stage, which is the preparation of the Preliminary Report. I am informed that Roscommon County Council is evaluating tenders for the production of this report at the moment.