Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media, Catherine Martin TD and Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht, Jack Chambers TD, today announced a €3.2 million funding package for swimming pool operators across the country.
The leisure, health and fitness sector welcome the announcement by Sport Ireland, and the acknowledgement of the importance of the sector and the impact swimming and the aquatics has on the nation’s health.
Speaking on today’s announcement, Swim Ireland CEO Sarah Keane said “It has been fantastic to have Swim Ireland, Ireland Active, Sport Ireland and Government all working together to support pool operators, and recognising the important role they play in helping to deliver and provide swimming opportunities in Ireland. We would like to thank all parties involved for their support in this welcome boost for swimming pools, the funding will go a long way to supporting the pools rebuild after a difficult two years, in a sector which is vital for the health and safety of our nation.”
Swimming pools provide a vital resource for our clubs, schools and communities across the country, and it is important that this infrastructure is maintained going forward. This investment will help swimming pool operators continue to provide safe and essential service which is vital to sustain swimming and maintain high physical activity levels.
Minister Martin said: “While it is appreciated that this is a difficult time for swimming pool operators across the country, the funding announced today will help provide some financial stability to the sector.”
Minister Chambers added: “Swimming Pool operators have demonstrated their resilience throughout the pandemic. It is important that this resilience continues. The funding announced today will assist swimming pool operators to continue getting communities across the country active and providing a real-life skill. This has never been more important and is essential for our physical and mental wellbeing.”
Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, Una May, said: “The Irish Sports Monitor highlighted swimming to be the second most popular sport amongst adults with 300,000 participating each week. Swimming pools provide a vital resource for schools, clubs and communities across the country. Swimming greatly contributes to the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities right across the country”.
Karl Dunne, CEO of Ireland Active said: “The funding being allocated today will provide some much-needed relief for swimming pool operators who have been severely hit by the pandemic and continued raising energy costs. This investment will help swimming pool operators continue to provide essential services which is vital to sustain swimming and maintain high physical activity levels. The recognition of Government around the operational and financial difficulties, along with the high energy costs of maintaining swimming pools is very welcome and will provide some much-needed financial assistance to swimming pool operators”. Ireland Active were appointed by Sport Ireland to administer the swimming pool grant scheme, supported by Swim Ireland.
See Grant allocations HERE
