Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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19. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps that Monaghan County Council should take to secure funding for a swimming pool in Carrickmacross. [64392/25]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Capital support for new swimming pools, and the refurbishment of existing pools, continues to be provided by my Department through the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) which to date has allocated €28.9 million to nine swimming pool projects. Investment in a swimming pool for Monaghan is matter for the local authority. Monaghan County Council will be eligible to apply for funding in this context when the next LSSIF round opens.

Ireland’s first National Swimming Strategy was published in August 2024 and it sets out a vision to provide everyone in our country with an opportunity to swim. It includes an Action Plan containing over fifty 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.

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.

My current focus is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF and this process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round.