Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 May 2026
37. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will if he will devise a plan in conjunction with Galway County Council, to progress a publicly owned swimming pool in Loughrea; if he will consider Galway County Council's request for funding for a swimming pool project development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32065/26]
View answerMy Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). 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. Applications under LSSIF must be made by either a local authority or a National Governing Body of Sport. Ultimately, it is a matter for those organisations to prioritise their capital development requirements. I note that no application was received for Loughrea swimming pool under the LSSIF.
To date, €297 million has been allocated under LSSIF. Of this, €41.4 million has been allocated to swimming pool and aquatic infrastructure projects including just over €8 million to Galway City and County Council for Galway Regional Aquatic and Fitness Centre.
The full marking scheme and assessment process for LSSIF 2018 and LSSIF 2024 is published on the Department’s website. I would encourage any prospective applicants to review the LSSIF scheme guidelines and priorities for previous rounds as part of their preparatory process for a future LSSIF round. It is important to note that, while these resources can serve as a helpful reference, any new guidelines and conditions associated with a future round of the Fund may differ from those previously published on my Department’s website.
Previously, government support for new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools was provided through the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP). In May 2009, the then-Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism approved a grant of €1.7 million to Galway County Council under the LASPP for the construction of a swimming pool in Loughrea. However, the local authority advised the Department in April 2012 that it was not proceeding with the project. In July 2013, the Department informed the local authority that the funding was withdrawn.
LSSIF is currently closed to applications at present and 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.
