Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her positive response. There are questions to be answered as to why a pool has lain idle for the past four years. I know there is no point in going back and we need to be positive and look forward, but it is not good enough to say that Covid is the reason why a hydrotherapy pool has lain idle for the past four years. Covid has been going on for two years, but the Minister of State and I know that disability services have been up and running as much as possible, even through Covid. I do not buy that, and I think it is an excuse that can be used. There are questions to be answered when a facility has lain idle for four years.

On the positive side, I want the money to be invested and do not want any more delays in getting the facility up and running. The Minister of State is absolutely right. We need to think about the service beyond 4.30 p.m. or 5 p.m. It is a facility that could be used until 10 p.m. each day of the week and at weekends. Breffni county grounds are located beside the facility. If the area outside the service cannot be used, people could use it. I encourage the Minister of State to do whatever it takes to get this open.

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