asked the Minister for Local Government if he will sanction the plan, specification and contract price recently submitted by the Edenderry swimming pool committee, County Offaly.

Where a swimming pool is being provided by a local group with financial assistance from a local authority the technical details, etc., should be agreed in the first instance between the group and the local authority. If Offaly County Council submit a firm proposal to make a contribution to Edenderry Swimming Pool Committee based on an agreed project, I will have the matter examined.

81.

asked the Minister for Local Government the up-to-date position concerning the provision of a swimming pool for Clonmel, County Tipperary, with particular reference to the allocation of the maximum grant.

Technical details of this project have not yet been submitted to my Department. When they have been submitted and agreed I will have proposals of the Tipperary (SR) County Council and the Clonmel Corporation to raise loans to enable them to make grants towards the cost of the project considered.

82.

asked the Minister for Local Government when sanction will be given for the erection of a swimming pool at Maynooth, County Kildare.

83.

asked the Minister for Local Government when sanction will be given for the erection of a swimming pool at Athy, County Kildare.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 83 together. I am not in a position at this stage to say when either of these pools may be released for commencement.

When did the Minister receive the proposal in relation to Maynooth?

I was not asked that question.

Surely it is relevant to the delay in sanction?

84.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he will make limited funds available from the Local Loans Fund to local authorities for swimming pools in cases where the authorities cannot raise a loan from normal sources or are being quoted excessive interest rates.

Where I am satisfied that a local authority is unable to raise a loan on acceptable terms from a source other than the Local Loans Fund for the provision of a swimming pool I am prepared to consider recommending to the Minister for Finance that the necessary loan be made available by him from the fund.