Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 290: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will reopen the local authority swimming pool programme in order to provide funding for the refurbishment of a pool (details supplied) in Dublin 12; if he will prioritise this request in view of the fact that this area has suffered from a lack of investment and the closure of a vital service such as this will be another blow to the local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45493/09]

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 to Local Authorities towards the capital cost of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools. The current round of the programme closed to applicants on 31 July 2000. Under this programme, 45 pools have been opened throughout the country with a further 12 pools at various stages of development. In the administrative area of Dublin City Council, new pools have been opened in Finglas, Ballyfermot, St. Michael's House, Ballymun and work is under way on a new pool in Rathmines. The issue of the launch of a new round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme will be dealt with as part of the Estimates discussion for 2010. When a new round of the programme is launched, it will be open to all local authorities, including Dublin City Council on behalf of Crumlin Swimming Pool, to submit an application under the terms that will apply.