Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Cathaoirleach for choosing this topic. I thank the Minister of State for being here, although I note from what he said earlier that he would rather not be here delivering responses from other Ministers. I can only assume, therefore, that he will always be here to answer those questions relating to his own Department.

As many Members of this House and of the Dáil will be aware, I am very proud of being from County Kildare. The defence community is hugely important to Kildare and supporting the Defence Forces is a key priority of mine. I have always done what I can from within these Houses to advocate and speak on behalf of our Defence Forces heroes. I have stood up and spoken about many of the different issues that impact on those who work within our Defence Forces, such as the need for cultural transformation, the deplorable pay levels some are supposed to work for, the lack of investment and, of course, the recruitment and retention issues faced by the Defence Forces every day.

Many people I represent and many of those in south Kildare are very happy and honoured to be members of the Defence Forces. Many have found the life quite difficult, however. It is, therefore, important to build morale and deal with the big issues. I genuinely believe that with An Tánaiste, Deputy Micheál Martin, as Minister for Defence and following the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, we are starting to finally get the big things right. However, sometimes it is the smallest of issues that can grate with people and damage morale in a workplace.

I come from Rathangan and live in Newbridge. The Newbridge area does not have a public swimming pool. At one point, it did have a small open-air pool in Ryston, which is long gone. People have to travel to Athy or Naas to go to a public swimming pool. Those who had a connection with the Curragh Camp, essentially by being a member of a military family, as well as local schools and clubs, had the opportunity to use the Curragh swimming pool. It is an absolutely fabulous pool. I have never had the opportunity to swim in it but I have often seen it. This facility has been there since the early 1900s. The British built it in order that soldiers could cool off during hot summers in the Curragh. In the 1940s, the Irish Army put a roof over it and then brought in a heating system. I understand that the last investment was approximately 20 years ago. Approximately €2 million of taxpayers' money was put into the Curragh swimming pool. It was very difficult to get access to go in but for those who could, it was really important.

Obviously, I understand that during Covid-19, outside access closed down. It has never reopened, however. Basically, the world has moved on since Covid but the Curragh swimming pool has not. I have been contacted by a number of people in this regard. One particular lady is the daughter of a former Army officer, now sadly deceased, and the wife of a current serving member. Having paid for this service, because an amount has to be paid by non-serving members, she still has no clarity in terms of when the swimming pool will open. I have been in contact with the Department of Defence offices in Newbridge. All I keep getting back, as do any of the individuals who have written, is that this is the subject of negotiation with the Minister and the Department of Defence. When will we see a situation when the Curragh swimming pool is going to reopen to those who could use it in the past, such as in pre-Covid times?

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Senator for raising this issue. I always try to attend the Seanad. I very rarely do not attend the Seanad for issues of my own and if I cannot, I always ask Senators to perhaps defer it to a time when I can attend. Anyway, I have made my remarks with regard to the rest.

I have been asked by An Tánaiste to thank the Senator for raising this issue this morning and to apologise that he could not be here, given the other business requirements he is attending to at Cabinet. For those who may not be aware, the main training centre for the Defence Forces is more commonly known as the Curragh Camp.The installation is of significant historical interest not just for the local community but also for the nation as a whole, given its role as a military installation since before the foundation of the State.

In recognising its importance, the renovation and ongoing development of the camp is one of the mainstays in the Defence Forces' infrastructure plan. We are making significant strides towards improving the Defence Forces' built infrastructure, including accommodation facilities for our personnel. This year alone, we will be providing some €55 million for improving our built infrastructure - a record allocation that will increase in the years ahead to match the roll-out of new projects.

Projects collectively worth over €100 million are currently under way and are at different stages of development. Regarding the Curragh Camp, notable projects to be developed in the coming months include a new cadet school, a new engineering store, new garaging facilities and a communications and information services workshop. All are scheduled to commence in the coming months. In 2024, the following projects will also commence: new Army Ranger Wing headquarters; and a new military college auditorium suite.

Since the establishment of the Defence Forces, it has been long-standing practice to allow sports organisations, schools and local community groups access to military lands. This policy reflects the importance of the Defence Forces being front and centre within the communities they serve. This is a proud tradition that has served both the Defence Forces and generations within communities in good stead. I am happy to say it is intended that this practice will continue. The Tánaiste's Department received numerous requests for the use of all Defence Forces' facilities throughout the country and always endeavours to process any application for use in a fair, equitable and community-centred fashion.

In respect of the reopening of the swimming pool at the Defence Forces' training camp, the pool is currently in use for operational requirements by the military. There are currently safety concerns in relation to the reopening of the swimming pool to the public, particularly in the context of child safety concerns. I am sure the Senator will appreciate that these safety concerns take precedence and need to be resolved before the swimming pool can be reopened to the public. To that end, the Tánaiste has been advised that the matter is under consideration within the Defence Forces, and it is intended that a report will be submitted to the Department shortly.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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I recognise the important strides the Minister of State talked about regarding the built infrastructure of the Defence Forces and some of the areas he has mentioned. Significantly, the €55 million to improve built infrastructure is incredibly important. The infrastructure will include the new cadet school, new engineering stores, the garaging facilities and, next year, the Army Ranger Wing headquarters and the military college auditorium suite. However, I want to focus on what the Minister of State said about circumstances since the establishment of the Defence Forces. He referred to the long-standing practice of granting access to local sports organisations, schools and local community groups. This is very important. It is partly why Kildare people are so proud to have the Defence Forces and Curragh Camp in their county. The tradition has served members of the Defence Forces and the communities very well. I want to see the practice continuing.

I note what the Minister of State said about current safety concerns regarding the pool. I would like a little more clarity on that. I would like the Minister of State to relay my points to the Minister. The Minister of State said the matter is under consideration and that a report will be submitted to the Department. I hope that, in a supplementary response, he will be able to give a timeline for this because it is a really important issue.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Unfortunately, I do not have any timeline for completion. I can relay the Senator's issues and concerns regarding safety to the Tánaiste and ask that his Department revert directly to her. I can understand her point because there is a similar situation with another pool owned by a different element of the State. It is also of importance to its local community. I will certainly relay the Senator's comments to the Tánaiste and ask that he reply to her directly.