Bernard Durkan, Fine Gael TD for Kildare North has welcomed the news that the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme is to briefly reopen.

The programme, which is administered by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, provides grant aid to local councils towards the cost of construction or refurbishment of public swimming pools. Mr Durkan has said he is "delighted" that the Minister for Sport, Michael Ring TD, has chosen to reopen the fund.

In a statement he said: "I am delighted that Minister Ring has agreed to re-open the Swimming Pool Programme for a time. This gives an opportunity to re-examine expressions of interest from Local Authorities in respect of particularly pressing cases, such as the need for a swimming pool in North Kildare.

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"The proposal will be of particular interest to local support groups who have diligently worked directly, and in association with, Maynooth College following the closure of the swimming pool there.

"While it is not possible to determine at this stage the extent to which this particular project is likely to be successful, it is particularly satisfying that the programme has been re-opened to give a valuable opportunity for the most pressing projects to apply for funding.

"I will obviously continue to support the plan for a swimming pool in North Kildare either in conjunction with Maynooth College, or in association with the wider community."

(JP/LM)