Since 1965, the people of Templemore have enjoyed the use of the swimming pool at the Garda Training College on Friday evenings after the college has closed to trainees. Generations of families have learned to swim in the pool and engage in water safety and life-saving classes. The pool is a much-valued asset to the town. The pool closed owing to pandemic restrictions, but, unlike other facilities, it has not reopened for public use. Local people feel hurt and angry. The facts I have established are that the Garda authorities are responsible for the day-to-day running of the college and that if the college agrees to the use of its facilities, it is obliged to seek approval, under licence, from the Office of Public Works, which owns the property. The Office of Public Works is favourably disposed to allowing the use of the pool but it first must receive a formal request from the college. I request that the Government intervenes with the Garda Commissioner to resolve this. I seek the Minister's help in allowing a 57-year tradition to continue.

I am informed that the pool closed during the Covid pandemic but reopened in March and that a number of schools in the vicinity of Templemore have been granted permission to use it. I understand also that this permitted use ceased during the summer holiday period and recommenced at the start of the autumn school term. I am also advised that the use of the pool by the Garda College is granted by the Office of Public Works under licence to and for the benefit of the local community on a not-for-profit basis. I understand that clarification is being sought from the Garda Síochána on this matter. I would be surprised if the Garda did not recognise the conditions that seem to be set out by the Office of Public Works on the operation of the pool and if a satisfactory resolution were not found very quickly.