Dublin City Council has been criticised for the delay in upgrading three swimming pools despite getting Government funding of €600,000 three years ago.
The pools at Sean McDermott St, Coolock and Crumlin were threatened with closure because they were considered to be in a "distressed" state.
The council said it did not have the money to renovate them.
The pools were given a reprieve to stay open after campaigning by local residents resulted in funding from central Government.
But the improvement works will not be started until next year at the earliest.
Dublin City Council has said that an additional €500,000 was provided out of its own funding in last year's estimates.
A final design package was completed by architects in September.
The Council said it hopes a final package will be ready to go out to tender in the new year.
Fine Gael Councillor Gerry Breen criticised the delay and said: "It is an appalling example of what could be done but hasn't been done in these harsh times.
"I hoped the city council would have shown a greater urgency in using the available funds to generate activity and also enhance these three pools in challenged areas," he added.
