Darren O'Rourke
Question:31. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he plans to build new public swimming pools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31769/26]
View answerThursday, 7 May 2026
Questions (31)
Written answers
Ireland’s first-ever National Swimming Strategy, published in 2024, 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, examining the condition and age of facilities, community accessibility, the availability of swimming lessons, energy and sustainability practices, and the provincial and county-level distribution of pools. The resultant Swimming Pool Gap Analysis Report, published in late-2025, 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.
In this context, my Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). Applications under both programmes are subject to published guidelines and conditions. Capital support for any new swimming pool projects is now provided through the LSSIF, the aim of which is to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects.
LSSIF applications must be made by either a local authority or a National Governing Body of Sport (NGB). The LSSIF is currently closed to applications, and no decisions have yet been made regarding the timing the next round.
Applications for the refurbishment of pools, for other swimming infrastructure works and for the purchase of non-personal swimming equipment can be made under the CSFF, the next round of which I intend in the first half of this year.