Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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297. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a schedule of swimming pools delivered under the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund will be provided by county; if a schedule of swimming pools at planning and construction phase under the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund will also be provided by county; and if the information will be provided from the date on which the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund came into operation to date. [43530/21]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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298. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the population analysis and pool to person ratio that is used to determine if an application for a swimming pool under the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund can be granted will be provided. [43531/21]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 297 and 298 together.

The National Sports Policy was published in 2018 and provided for the establishment of a Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The National Development Plan provided a capital allocation of at least €100m for the Fund over the period to 2027.

There are two streams of funding within the LSSIF. Stream One provides assistance for the development of detailed plans and cost effective analysis for proposed projects to bring them to tender stage. Stream Two provides assistance for the construction or delivery of a project.

It was open to all local authorities and National Governing Bodies (NGBs) to apply for funding. All applications were assessed in accordance with the published Evaluation Procedures and Guidelines and the published scoring system both of which are available at the following link:-

www.gov.ie/en/service/4113b3-large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif/.

Amongst the key factors in assessing applications was the likelihood of a project increasing participation (including for those with a disability), the priority afforded to the project by the relevant local authority and/or NGB, the level of socio economic disadvantage in the area and whether the proposed project would be shared by a number of different potential users.

The first allocations under the LSSIF were announced in January 2020 and, thus far, approximately €86.4m has been awarded to 33 different proposals. These initial allocations included funding for 8 swimming pool projects under Stream 2 of the LSSIF:

1. Laois: Portarlington Leisure Centre Swimming Pool

2. Sligo: Waterpoint Aqua Park

3. Kilkenny: The Watershed Development,

4. Limerick: Askeaton Pool and Leisure

5. Wicklow: Wicklow Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre

6. Louth: Dundalk Leisure Centre

7. Galway: Galway Regional Aquatic & Fitness Centre

8. Dublin: Samuel Beckett Civic Campus Phase 2

All of these projects are now at various stages of the due diligence process in keeping with the public spending code.

Previously, Government support for new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools was provided through the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP). 52 pools have been completed under the LASPP and three swimming pool projects (Lucan, Buncrana and Edenderry) remain in the programme. A list of the completed projects is attached.

In relation to future swimming pool needs, my Department is currently undertaking a review of progress on all existing LSSIF grants. As part of this review, my Department is also considering the timing of any new call for proposals and it is expected that the review will be completed in the coming months. In addition, the National Sports Policy commits to the development of a National Swimming Strategy. This will involve close collaboration with relevant Government Departments, Local Authorities, sporting bodies and other stakeholders. As part of this, there will be a review of swimming pool provision to identify where gaps exist and how these can be met. Furthermore, a Sports Action Plan, covering the period to end 2023 will be published shortly. It is envisaged that the development of a national swimming strategy will be significantly progressed as a priority action in that plan, with the aim of completing the strategy in early 2022.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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299. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position in respect of the release of monies under the 2018 sports capital programme and in particular the monies due to a club (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43587/21]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. The 2018 round of the Programme closed for applications on Friday 19th October, 2018. By that deadline, 2,337 applications were submitted seeking a total of €162m in funding. Allocations were announced in January, May and November of 2019 with a total of over €56 million awarded to 1,648 different projects. To date, over €24 million has been drawn down by grantees.

The club referred to by the Deputy was provisionally allocated a grant of €86,018 under the 2018 round for security fencing and the development of a natural playing surface. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the SCEP and due to the level of grants received by the club in the past, it is necessary to execute a Deed of Covenant and Charge in order to protect the public investment in the facility. Legal formalities in relation to this grant have not yet been finalised and it will not be possible to provide formal approval for the grant until the Chief State Solicitor’s Office (CSSO) confirms that all matters are in order. I understand that contacts between the CSSO and the club's solicitors are ongoing in this regard. Once the CSSO confirmation is received, there will be no undue delay in paying the grant subject to the other necessary documentation being submitted by the club.