Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would appreciate that involvement because there are so many swimming pools. Considering population growth, especially in my community, and factoring in the number of planning permission applications approved in the context of that expected growth, we can see there is going to be increased demand for what is an already oversubscribed swimming pool system. We not only need the two pools I mentioned to be refurbished and the new pool, but also more pools to service the community.

More pertinently, regarding the development of existing swimming pools, I must raise a matter about which concern has been expressed several times to my office. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, the reopening of our pools and the restructuring of lessons, there has been a slip-up in providing swimming facilities for those with additional needs. That is particularly the case for younger people with special needs in respect of having access to swimming pools for particular lessons and swimming and pool therapies. This is an issue that should shape the Swim Ireland strategy. We should be ensuring that learning to swim and to use the water correctly and enjoying that is something for all in our society.

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