644 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation when funding will be provided for Tralee sports complex, County Kerry. [8389/02]

Under the local authority swimming pool programme, which is administered by my Department, there are four stages in a swimming pool project following the submission of a feasibility study. These, in order of progress, are: preliminary report; contract document; tender and construction. My Department's technical advisors, the Office of Public Works, evaluates each stage and local authorities cannot proceed to the next stage of a project unless prior approval issues from my Department. Grant aid is allocated only when tenders have been received for the project and will be capped at the time of allocation.

Refurbishment proposals for the swimming pool at the Tralee regional sports and leisure centre is at the contract document stage and is currently being considered in my Department.