Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Minister for Justice, I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. As he will appreciate, An Garda Síochána and the OPW have responsibility for the Garda estate and the Minister has no role in management decisions related to the pool at Templemore Garda college. It is my understanding the pool is used primarily for Garda training but has been made to available to the general public for use on an ad hoc basis. I am advised that in 2017, a number of governance measures were put in place at the Garda college following an audit of the facility. One of these measures involved the awarding of pool licences by the OPW to any group external to the Garda college who wished to use the facilities. I am advised that between 2017 and 2020, a number of pool licences were awarded to local schools. These schools used the pool for one hour a week during the academic year. I am informed that while Garda management is consulted, the licences are issued by the OPW for the benefit of the local community on a not-for-profit and non-commercial basis.

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the pool closed between March 2020 and March 2022 in line with public health restrictions. When the pool reopened in March this year, local schools were again granted licences, which ran until the end of the school year in June. It was anticipated licences would again be granted with the beginning of the new school year. I am informed An Garda Síochána has made the decision to close the pool for a period as an energy-saving measure in line with Government policy to reduce energy use at this time. I understand the OPW was consulted by An Garda Síochána, as the building owner and the body responsible for issuing the licences. Of course, I appreciate the disappointment expressed by the schools and families affected by this decision. I am assured this situation will be reviewed by the Garda college in the coming months, and I hope the matter can be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties involved.

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