Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Swimming is a public amenity, a public good and a skill everybody needs, and the State has a role in providing that. Swimming pools have too often been viewed through a for-profit lens. We do not look at libraries, green spaces for field sports, playgrounds or any other public amenities like that, and rightly so, but when it comes to the provision of a local authority pool, the question is whether it will make a profit. We need to move on from that. The question should be whether it will be able to serve the community that needs it. Only 25% of our pools, 100 of approximately 400, are in public ownership and many of them are blocked up by private groups. That is understandable, but this is something we need to move on. We need a wholesale change in how we approach swimming.

It is great to see so much engagement and participation in outdoor swimming, but water quality is the key. In Balbriggan, for example, the EPA reported poor water quality and it has thrown into doubt the entire season despite excellent water quality results. That too is something that needs to be examined by relevant Departments.

I thank the Minister of State for a very encouraging response.

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