Future Funding of Public Swimming Pools Dependent on National Sports Policy

Issued : Thursday 2 November, 2017
Areas : Kildare North

Kildare North Labour Representative Emmet Stagg was in contact with the Minister for Sport in relation to plans to reintroduce the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme given the continuing unacceptable absence of a Public Swimming Pool in North Kildare.

The Minister advised Mr. Stagg that in relation to future funding of swimming pools the Department are currently finalising a review of National Sports Policy. The review includes a specific focus on how the Government should fund sports facilities including swimming pools in the years ahead and it is expected that the new sports policy will be published before the end of the year.

Mr. Stagg stated that there was a limited reopening of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme in early 2016, where 4 new swimming pools were approved. At the time Kildare Co. Council did indicate an expression of interest in a pool for Maynooth in partnership with Maynooth University. That application was deemed invalid because the council would not have had a chargeable title to the proposed facility.

In conclusion Kildare North Labour Representative Emmet Stagg stated that the New National Sports Policy must recognise the benefits of having Public Swimming Pools and he hoped that a new Local Authority Grant Scheme would be recommended so we could set about the task of securing funding for a Public Swimming Pool for North Kildare.