‘This is denying children a vital life skill’ – waiting lists hit every swimming pool in Meath
Every public swimming pool in Meath currently has a waiting list for lessons, according to a new report, prompting calls for “greater investment” in swimming facilities.
The Swimming Pool Gap Analysis report, funded by the Department of Sport and published by Swim Ireland found that Ireland has just one public pool per 81,000 people, compared with one per 14,000 in Scotland.
Meath’s eight public swimming pools serve a population of more than 220,000. Three of these pools are hotel-based, while the remaining five operate on a pay-as-you-go basis. All eight currently have waiting lists for lessons, highlighting the pressure on existing facilities.
Sinn Féin TD for Meath East, Darren O’Rourke, said the findings confirm what many parents across the county already experience first-hand.
“As a parent trying to access swimming lessons for my own children, I see the problem first-hand,” he said.
“In County Meath, every swimming pool has a waiting list. This is denying children a vital life skill and a healthy activity.”
Mr O’Rourke recalled his own experience growing up near Kells Swimming Pool.
“We had unique access, but it should not be a matter of luck or geography. Every child in Meath, and across Ireland, deserves the opportunity to learn to swim in or near their local community.”
He said the report is welcome but stressed that the "deficits” it highlights have been years in the making.
“There is a major shortage of pools. There is an over-reliance on private, often hotel-based pools, and local authorities have abandoned their role in providing this essential public infrastructure,” he said.
Raising the issue with the Minister for Sport in the Dáil, Deputy O’Rourke said families in Meath are “stuck on endless waiting lists.”
He added that while the Minister has confirmed the report will be “considered” and will “inform future decisions,” urgent action is needed.
He criticised the “glacial pace” of capital investment, pointing to the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF), under which only three pools nationally are currently in a design phase expected to run until 2027.
“We need a step-change in approach,” he said.
“We need urgent, ring-fenced capital funding to build new public pools in areas of greatest need, including Meath and a new round of the LSSIF without further delay, specifically targeting swimming pool provision.”
Mr O’Rourke also called for greater support for local authorities to take a lead in delivering and managing public swimming facilities, moving away from “over-reliance” on private providers.
"Swimming is a life skill, a critical safety measure, and a cornerstone of community health and wellbeing,” the TD added.
“It’s time for a treatment plan backed by serious investment. Our children shouldn’t have to wait any longer."