Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 204: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to re-open the local authority swimming pool programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31105/12]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme closed on 31 July 2000. There are 58 projects in this round of which 12 remain. My priority is to see the remaining projects completed.

My Department has consulted with the local authorities and in the current economic climate there is little or no demand for new pools. However there is a demand for refurbishment of old pools and in response to this I launched a special initiative launched in 2011. Local authorities were invited to apply for grants of up to €400,000 for works to improve energy efficiency in pools and to enhance disabled access. More than €14m has been allocated under this initiative.