Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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240. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the next large scale sports infrastructure fund will allow for purchase of a site, design and planning as well as construction for swimming pool projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53064/25]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Capital support for new swimming pools, and the refurbishment of existing pools, is provided by my Department through the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). €28.9 million has been allocated to 9 swimming pool projects from the LSSIF since 2018.

The LSSIF does not fund the purchase of land or buildings or funding toward the planning process. Design elements were funded through Stream1 of the 2018 scheme and grantees are eligible to claim up to 30% of design fees under the 2024 scheme. No consideration has yet been given to the terms and conditions of the next round of LSSIF.

My current focus is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF, 2018 and 2024, and this process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round. The timing will also be considered in the context of the determining the detailed spending allocations within my Department under the National Development Plan as recently agreed by Government.

Ireland’s first National Swimming Strategy sets out a vision to provide everyone in our country with an opportunity to swim. It includes an Action Plan containing over 50 actions across five thematic strands, focusing on providing improved facilities, increasing access for people with disabilities, improving the culture of inclusion, better coaching supports, increasing safety awareness and providing a pathway that allows for the nurturing and development of potential high performers.

A key focus of the Strategy is on providing improved facilities and there is a specific action in the strategy to complete an in-depth analysis of swimming pool provision within Ireland with particular reference to identifying gaps in provision. Swim Ireland is currently undertaking an analysis of the type and nature of swimming pool ownership in the country and will publish a report in this regard in the coming period.