Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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1349. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is a grant programme open for swimming pools. [35297/17]

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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1350. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if applications have ever been made for a swimming pool in south County Meath; and when a decision will be made in respect thereof. [35298/17]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1349 and 1350 together.

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. 

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. No request was received from Meath County Council for a new swimming pool.

There are four swimming pool projects in the current programme and the priority in 2017 is on progressing these projects.

In relation to the future funding of swimming pools, my Department is currently undertaking a review of national sports policy. This includes a specific focus on how Government should fund sports facilities including swimming pools in the years ahead.