438. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the next tranche of Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund funding will be available; his views on the case for a new lido or public outdoor swimming amenity for Dublin City at George’s Dock in accordance with the proposals from a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48927/26]

Ireland’s first-ever National Swimming Strategy was published in 2024 and sets out a vision to provide everyone in our country with an opportunity to swim.

Further to a specific action in the Strategy, Swim Ireland carried out an in-depth analysis of swimming pool provision within Ireland, examining the condition and age of facilities, community accessibility, the availability of swimming lessons, energy and sustainability practices, and the provincial and county-level distribution of pools. The resultant Swimming Pool Gap Analysis Report was published in late 2025 and is available on Swim Ireland’s website. The report is being examined by my Department and will be a key input to the future development of swimming pool facilities by enabling enhanced decision-making with regard to targeting investment more effectively.

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.

In the 2018 round of LSSIF, an application for €6.6 million was received from Dublin City Council for design funding towards the design development of a white-water rafting course, a swift water rescue training facility and a kayaking/water polo pool at George’s Dock. The total funding applied for under the scheme significantly exceeded the amount available to allocate and the project was not awarded a grant. No application was received in the most recent round of LSSIF in respect of funding towards a development at George’s Dock.

No decision has yet been taken on the timing of the next round of the LSSIF, other than a commitment to having such a round within the lifetime of the current Government, as my current focus is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds. My Department would be happy to meet with the project promoters / stakeholders in the context of their planning for a future application to the LSSIF.