Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Is í an cheist atá faoi chaibidil agam anocht ná an baol mór atá ann nach mbeidh an linn snámha poiblí i nGaillimh oscailte arís tar éis na Nollag. Ar ndóigh, fógraíodh ag deireadh na míosa seo caite go mbeadh an linn snámha ag dúnadh, ach tar éis feachtas agus tar éis brú, rinneadh athchinneadh agus tá sé oscailte anois go dtí an Nollaig. Dúradh leis na comhairleoirí nach bhfuil dóthain airgid ag an údarás áitiúil chun an linn snámha a choinneáil oscailte. Is léir go mbeidh impleachtaí ón gcinneadh seo ar fud na tíre. De réir mar a thuigim, tá na linnte snámha i dtrioblóid i gach áit - i mBéal Átha na Sluaighe agus i dTuaim freisin.

The subject I am raising tonight is the public swimming pool in Galway, which was opened in 1973. It is a fantastic swimming pool. I must declare a conflict of interest as I use it every weekend. It helps to keep me semi-sane and semi-fit. It was announced at the end of September that the pool was going to close at the end of that week. I reacted by calling it crass stupidity that a local authority would allow a public swimming pool to close because of funding. This public swimming pool broke even in the last number of years. No public swimming pool makes a profit and few of them break even. This pool needed money due to Covid-19 and the difficulties experienced by every public swimming pool in the country. The management in the city council said it was not in a position to give it money and that the swimming pool would have to close. As a result of pressure from councillors, which originated from the people and the users of the swimming pool, the council relented and gave over €200,000 to enable it to remain open until Christmas. However, it pointed out that the money was coming out of next year's budget, it could not continue and it would not be in a position to fund it.

I do not expect miracles, but I expect a commitment from the Minister and the Government that, regardless of what happens, we are not going to close public swimming pools or public libraries. They are essential services.

I note that Ireland Active, which represents leisure, health and fitness associations, welcomed the July stimulus of €2.5 million to enable swimming pools with public access to remain open because of the high energy costs and the difficulties complying with Covid. It seems this is not available to the local authorities. In any event it is a small amount of money given the number of swimming pools. I understand again from Ireland Active that this fund will be administered by Sport Ireland. The Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, made a very positive announcement on this and acknowledged the challenges facing swimming pools. We have got a reprieve until Christmas in Galway because of pressure but the same challenges apply to all the other public swimming pools. Can the Minister of State please do an assessment of what is necessary to keep our public swimming pools open and put a package in place? I understand 300,000 adults at a minimum use swimming pools every year. It is the sport with the second largest number of participants. It does not make sense on any level to allow swimming pools to close, not to mention that in the middle of all our difficulties we have great problems with obesity and lack of exercise. There should be a positive programme to encourage people to use the swimming pools while complying with the Covid restrictions. I ask for confirmation tonight that this closure is not going to be allowed to happen, not just in Galway but anywhere.

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