302. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if any funding streams currently exists within his Department for the maintenance or energy efficiency upgrade of public swimming pools by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48417/26]

While the provision of public swimming pools is ultimately a matter for the relevant local authorities, capital support for new swimming pools, and the refurbishment of existing pools, is provided by my Department through the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) which has allocated €44.65 million, from a cumulative investment of €297 million across 68 projects under two rounds, 2018 and 2024, to 12 swimming pool and aquatic infrastructure projects. Applications under LSSIF must be made by either a local authority or a National Governing Body of sport. It is a matter for those organisations to prioritise their capital development requirements. No decisions have yet been made regarding the next round of LSSIF.

Smaller infrastructure works of benefit to public swimming pools are supported via funding from the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF). Almost €4.3 million was allocated to 165 swimming projects in the last 10 years under the CSFF. The Department is currently collating feedback from sporting clubs and organisations, and this provides valuable input to our ongoing preparations for the next round. New guidelines will be published in advance of the opening of the next round which will include eligibility and likely assessment criteria for the next round. My aim is to encourage a broad range of applicants and to assist in this regard by simplifying the application process and guide and carrying out a wide-reaching communications and engagement campaign. I have asked my Department to prepare for a further round of the CSFF in 2026 which I expect to open soon.