Jen Cummins
Question:468. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his plans to increase the number of public swimming pools available in Dublin 8 and Dublin 12. [31926/26]
View answerWednesday, 6 May 2026
Questions (468, 469)
Jen Cummins
Question:469. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the funding available for communities to establish a public pool where there is none. [31927/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 468 and 469 together.
Ireland’s first-ever National Swimming Strategy was published in 2024 and it sets out a vision to provide everyone in our country with an opportunity to swim. It includes an Action Plan containing over fifty actions across five thematic strands, focusing on providing improved facilities, increasing access for people with disabilities, improving the culture of inclusion, better coaching supports, increasing safety awareness and providing a pathway that allows for the nurturing and development of potential high performers.
Further to a specific action in the Strategy, Swim Ireland carried out an in-depth analysis of swimming pool provision within Ireland, with particular reference to identifying gaps in provision. The resultant Swimming Pool Gap Analysis Report is available on Swim Ireland’s website. The report is being examined by my Department and will be a key input to the future development of swimming pool facilities by enabling enhanced decision-making with regard to targeting investment more effectively.
There are two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). Capital support for new swimming pools, and the refurbishment of existing pools, continues to be provided by my Department through the LSSIF which, to date, has allocated €41.4 million to swimming pool and aquatic infrastructure projects. Details of allocations under the LSSIF are available at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/54403-large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif/.
LSSIF is aimed primarily at National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and local authorities. Other bodies can also benefit, but applications have to be made and prioritised by a local authority and/or a NGB. The full marking scheme, guidelines and assessment process for LSSIF 2018 and 2024 are published on my Department’s website, https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/campaigns/large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif/. I would encourage any prospective applicants to review these documents in preparation for a future LSSIF round, while noting that guidelines and conditions for a future round may differ from those previously published.
The LSSIF is currently closed to applications. My current focus is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF. This process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round, but I am committed to ensuring sustained investment in sports facilities to meet our ambitious goals for sports participation nationwide.
Applications for the refurbishment of pools and the purchase of non-personal swimming equipment can be made under the CSFF. In total over €1.5 million was allocated to swimming under the 2023 CSFF round as part of an overall CSFF investment in swimming of over €3.7 million in the last 10 years. It is anticipated that the next round will open later in 2026.
Question No. 469 answered with Question No. 468.