Written answers

Tuesday, 21 March 2017

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Swimming Pool Programme Status

Photo of Kevin  MoranKevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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1182. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of funding for the Lucan swimming pool project; if draft architectural plans have been received and a final timescale given for the delivery of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13017/17]

Photo of Patrick O'DonovanPatrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP) provides grant aid to local authorities towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools.  There are four stages in the development of a project under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme, namely Preliminary Report, Contract Documents, Tender and Construction.

In January of 2016, my Department contacted local authorities and sought expressions of interest in a limited round of swimming pool allocations. There were three expressions of interest received for new pools, two of which were valid and both in Dublin. Having assessed existing commitments and the funding available, it was was decided to include the proposal from South Dublin County Council (SDCC) for a new swimming pool in Lucan in the LASPP.

My Department wrote to SDCC in April 2016 advising the Council to undertake the Preliminary Report stage (which includes the Feasibility Study, Appointment of Consultants for Preliminary Proposals and Design Brief).  Documentation in this regard was received from SDCC in July 2016. Following examination by my Department's technical advisor and my officials, SDCC was given approval in October 2016 to appoint the recommended design team and proceed to the design brief. SDCC was also asked to provide outstanding material relating to the feasibility study and the site location map. A reminder in this regard was issued to SDCC in January 2017. No draft architectural plans have yet been received as designing such plans normally takes a number of months. I understand from SDCC however, that work is ongoing in relation to these plans. Once the required documentation is received from the Council, there will be no undue delay in terms of my Department assessing the material in order to move to the next stage of the process.

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