asked the Minister for Local Government whether, in view of the lack of swimming amenities in Dublin and the consequent use of canals for swimming by children, he will consult with Dublin Corporation to ensure that lifebelts are available and that lifeguards will patrol such canals for limited periods during the summer months to avoid drownings.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Swimming Facilities.
28.
I am informed by Dublin Corporation that they provide a number of lifebuoys along the Grand and Royal Canals and that they are regularly inspected and replaced where necessary.
Does the Minister say they are regularly inspected by lifeguards?
They are regularly inspected and replaced when necessary.
Would the Minister say by whom they are inspected?
By the Corporation.
29.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will consider making an appeal to all educational institutions in the Dublin area who have swimming facilities to make these available during the summer months for children and thus avoid the danger of drowning through swimming at places which are not supervised.
Under section 55 of the Local Government Act, 1955 it is open to sanitary authorities to make arrangements with any school authority in their areas willing to do so for the public use of a swimming pool during the summer months.
I understand that pools owned by school authorities in Dublin city towards which a capital contribution was made by Dublin Corporation are made available to outside groups at convenient times, both during school terms and during holiday time.
Is the Minister aware that these swimming pools are made available only to groups and not individuals and would he make an appeal to these institutions to make the pools available to individuals?
They are made available to outside groups.
Outside groups, but they are not available to the public.
They are not publicly-owned.
We are asking the Minister would he appeal to them to make them available to members of the public?
This is a matter between the Corporation and the authorities concerned.
The Minister gives the money for these pools.
The Corporation does —for some of them, yes.
30.
asked the Minister for Local Government whether any figures are available to indicate the number of Irish people under 21 years of age who are able to swim; and whether he has held any consultations with local authorities in an effort to instigate local campaigns in the matter.
The information requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department. Sanitary authorities have been frequently reminded of their powers to arrange for the giving of instruction in swimming and the saving of persons from drowning and to contribute to the funds of a society having as or among its objects the saving of persons from drowning.