Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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392. To ask the Minister for Culture, Culture, Communications and Sport when the next Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP) will be open for applications; the way in which clubs can engage with this fund in advance of applications opening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29596/26]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Previously, Government support for new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools was provided through the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP). 52 pools were completed under the LASPP with a swimming pool project in Lucan project currently nearing completion.

My Department's capital support for any new swimming pool projects is now provided through the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) the aim of which is to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects. Applications under LSSIF must be made by either a local authority or a National Governing Body of Sport. Ultimately, it is a matter for those organisations to prioritise their capital development requirements.

One of the actions under the first-ever National Swimming Strategy, which was published in 2024, is the completion of an in-depth analysis of swimming pool provision within Ireland with particular reference to identifying gaps in provision and the environmental sustainability of facilities. Swim Ireland, the National Governing Body for the sport, was tasked with this specific action with funding support from Sport Ireland. It published its Swimming Pool Gap Analysis Report recently and the report is available on Swim Ireland’s website at the following link: swimireland.ie/2025/12/09/swim-ireland-report-a-pool-within-reach-remains-a-distant-reality-amidst-critical-swimming-infrastructure-gaps/.

This in-depth analysis examined the condition and age of swimming facilities, community accessibility, the availability of swimming lessons, energy and sustainability practices, and the provincial and county-level distribution of pools across the island. The report is being examined by my Department and will be a key input to the future development of swimming pool facilities by enabling better decision-making regarding targeting investment more effectively.

My Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).

The full marking scheme and assessment process for LSSIF 2018 and LSSIF 2024 is published on the Department’s website. I would encourage any prospective applicants to review the LSSIF scheme guidelines and key priorities as part of their preparatory process for a future LSSIF round. It is important to note that, while these resources can serve as a helpful reference, any new guidelines and conditions associated with a future round of the Fund may differ from those previously published: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/campaigns/large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif/.

To date, €297 million has been allocated under LSSIF including €41.4 million for swimming pool and aquatic infrastructure projects. While the LSSIF is closed to applications at present, my current focus is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF. This process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round, but I am committed to ensuring sustained investment in sports facilities to meet our ambitious goals for sports participation nationwide.

Over €1.5 million was allocated to swimming under the 2023 CSFF round and over €3.7 million in the last 10 years. Swimming may also have benefitted from allocations to multisport projects under the CSFF. Applications for the refurbishment of pools, pop-up pools, improvements of the energy efficiencies of pools as well as improvements to accessibility of pools can be made under the CSFF. In line with previous rounds of the Fund, a review of the current funding round is being undertaken. Preparations are underway for a further round of the CSFF in 2026. It is anticipated that the next round will particularly target areas and sports that have been under-invested in over the years.