Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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569. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is conscious of the fact that despite the phenomenal growth in population in County Kildare the provision of swimming pools , sports facilities and recreation services have not been expanded at the necessary rate to keep pace with this growth; if he is aware that many counties with smaller populations have for example more swimming pool facilities at their disposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61130/25]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Sport and physical activity are hugely important to our collective wellbeing and health, so it is in our national interest to promote increased participation in sport and activity at all levels, locally and nationally.

Availability and ease of access to sports facilities, whether in a club setting, on public lands or in other amenity areas, is a key factor in drawing more people to participation in sport. Planning for future facilities’ needs, locations and types is a particular focus of our current Sports Action Plan.

The use to which lands are put is ultimately a matter for the relevant local authority and, where land is in use for sport, my Department provides capital funding support through the Community Sports Facilities Fund and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund. I encourage prospective applicants to review the guidelines of both schemes, as part of their preparatory process for future rounds.

Given the challenges of increased demand and a growing population, I consider that there is merit in the development of municipally-backed shared facilities and I encourage National Governing Bodies of sport and local authorities to collaborate in this regard.

Ireland’s first National Swimming Strategy, published in August 2024, sets out a vision to provide everyone in our country with an opportunity to swim. The public consultation that informed the development of the Strategy suggested that existing swimming pool stock is insufficient and, as a result, a key focus of the Strategy is on providing improved facilities. Swim Ireland, the National Governing Body for swimming, is currently undertaking an analysis of the type and nature of swimming pool ownership in the country, with a particular focus on identifying gaps in provision. Swim Ireland will publish a report on its analysis in the coming period, and this report will be central to the future development of swimming pool facilities in Ireland.