Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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36. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will report on the conditions of testing for the lifeguard certification, currently presided over by the Irish Water Safety committee; his views on whether the current standard and method of testing is fair, transparent and equal for all candidates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16516/15]

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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My Department has been advised by Irish Water Safety that they train and certify approximately 3,000 lifeguards each year to best international practice and that their certification processes are designed to be fair, transparent and equal for all candidates. The equivalency and recognition tables of the International Life Saving Federation at indicate the qualifications of the countries, which Irish Water Safety recognises for use in Ireland.

Some 450 lifeguards are employed by local authorities during the summer bathing season. Irish Water Safety tests several hundred qualified lifeguards around the country on behalf of those local authorities employing lifeguards at beaches, rivers or lakes. Candidates undergo pool-based water and Basic Life Support tests, and all candidates who achieve a pass mark in both disciplines are listed in order of merit for each local authority area. An Irish Water Safety Examiner from a local authority area other than the local authority area concerned oversees these examinations.

The list of qualifying candidates is sent to each local authority for final selection and appointment of the lifeguards required by the local authority. Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for staffing and organisation arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible.