Value for Money and Policy Review Report of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme

The department completed and published a value for money and policy review report of the local authority swimming pool programme.

The report examined:

• how the programme has worked to date
• what changes are required to ensure its effective and efficient delivery in the future

In terms of performance and effectiveness of the Programme, the Review found that the current round of the programme has been particularly successful.

Among the main recommendations in the Report are the following:

• an increase in the maximum grant rate for a new project from €3.8 million to €4 million - unless the project is in or within the catchment of a RAPID area where the maximum grant rate will be €4.5 million
• for refurbishment of an existing pool, a grant rate of 80% (or 90% in or within the catchment of RAPID areas), subject to a maximum grant of €2 million, to apply
• pools in schools /colleges which provide a reasonable level of public access to be eligible for refurbishment grant aid, at a level commensurate with the level of public access, provided the proposals are supported by and submitted through the relevant local authority (ineligible under the current round)
• a new grant of €150,000 for the provision of enhanced disabled facilities in existing pools or pools under construction/reconstruction, where enhanced disabled facilities are proposed
• a change in the approval process whereby the current Feasibility Report and Preliminary Report stages should be combined as one initial application requiring Ministerial approval