Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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171. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if or when he will revisit or reopen the swimming pool development programme, which he operates in conjunction with the local authorities and which has been closed for some time; if he will examine any funds not yet utilised under such a heading with a view to alternatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2418/16]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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​Under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme 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. The current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme was closed to new applicants on 31 July 2000. Since 2000, 58 projects have or are being dealt with under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme of which 50 have been completed and the other 8 projects are at various stages of the Programme.

I wish to commence the process of opening a new limited round of swimming pool allocations. The Department is contacting local authorities this week seeking expressions of interest in such an allocation.