Written answer
Water Safety
1050. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to engage with Water Safety Ireland and local authorities to extend seasonal lifeguard cover at beaches and bathing areas from the Easter period through to Halloween in order to improve safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45002/26]
Comment on this
Water Safety Ireland (WSI) is the statutory, voluntary body and registered charity established to promote water safety and reduce drownings in Ireland. WSI has statutory responsibility for the promotion of public awareness of water safety; advancement of education related to the prevention of accidents in water; instruction in water safety; and the establishment of national standards for lifeguards.
It should be noted that the employment of lifeguards is a matter for each local authority under the Local Government Acts. Furthermore, neither my Department nor Water Safety Ireland have a remit in respect of the extension of the lifeguard season.
WSI’s Strategic Development Plan 2023-2027 operates in conjunction with Ireland’s National Drowning Prevention Strategy 2018-2027. The strategy focuses on five pillars, namely education, awareness, training, intervention and action. It sets out how Water Safety Ireland aims to reduce the number of drownings in Ireland by targeting at-risk groups.
We can see the practical application of the strategy through a number of education programmes provided by WSI. Several of these programmes are aimed at children, from the Hold Hands programmes in early learning centres, to the PAWS programme which is on the primary school curriculum, and to the GET WISE programme for secondary schools.
It is important to note that funding from my Department to Water Safety Ireland has more than doubled since 2022. I secured a 20% increase in funding for WSI in 2026, rising from €2,492,000 in 2025 to €2,992,000 in 2026.
WSI have used this funding to establish new training and education programmes, to run large-scale and targeted awareness campaigns, and to develop partnerships and expertise. My Department will continue to support WSI as they develop their education, training and awareness raising activities.