No lifeguards to reopen Kildare swimming pool

The military swimming pool at the Defence Forces training centre at the Curragh, Kildare, cannot reopen to the general public due to a failure to recruit suitable lifeguards for the facility.

Speaking in the Seanad this week and calling for the reopening of the facility to the public, Senator Fiona O'Loughlin (FF) said that last August, the then Minister of State with special responsibility for sport, Deputy Thomas Byrne, launched the national swimming strategy.

Almost 6,000 submissions were received in response to the strategy, Senator O'Loughlin pointed out.

“Kildare is a growing county, as the Minister of State knows. It is divided into two Dáil constituencies. In the constituency of Kildare South, there is only one public swimming pool and that is based in Athy, which is some distance from Newbridge and Kildare town, where there are growing and developing populations.”, Senator O'Loughlin said.

“Prior to Covid-19, local schools and swimming clubs, as well as the families of serving and former members of the Defence Forces, were able to avail of the Curragh swimming pool. This was certainly a great asset and bonus while we await a public swimming pool.

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“We all understand that the rules had to change during Covid, but there has been no sign of the pool reopening since then except to serving members.”

According to Senator O'Loughlin, works were completed to the swimming pool in the Curragh in September 2024 at a cost of almost €300,000. However, the Defence Forces were unsuccessful in recruiting lifeguards for the facility.

“My plea is to get an update and timeline on this matter. There must be a way for lifeguards to be recruited, with access then given to schools and school children, in particular”, Senator O'Loughlin said.

“Only 28% of school children now are going to regular swimming lessons but it has been suggested that this should increase to 40%.”

Minister of State, Kieran O'Donnell, responding to Senator O'Loughlin, said it is policy of the Department and the Defence Forces to allow third-party access to Defence Forces facilities and properties to support local communities.

However, he noted, two recruitment competitions have been run for lifeguards for the facility with no viable applications received, making the opening of the pool not possible at this time.

“Department officials are examining some possible workarounds but until a solution can be identified, it is regrettable that the pool must remain closed to third parties”, he said.

The Minister of State assured Senator O'Loughlin that the Tánaiste is “committed to ongoing positive engagement with local schools and clubs in allowing the use of military facilities”, and that “every effort is being made to progress the reopening of the pool on a limited basis.”