asked the Minister for Local Government if he will indicate the special regulations regarding safety in private and public swimming pools.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Water Safety.
87.
Section 42 of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1948, enables sanitary authorities to make bye-laws for the regulation of swimming pools maintained by them and other pools to which the public are admitted. The bye-law which are subject to confirmation by me, may contain safety clauses.
Section 37 of the same Act enables sanitary authorities to employ lifeguards at pools maintained by them and other pools to which the public are admitted free, and to provide and maintain equipment and appliances for saving persons from drowning at such pools.
The initiative in the making of bye-laws rests with the local authority.
A contribution under section 55 of the Local Government Act, 1955, by a sanitary authority, to the funds of a society, club, committee or other body providing or proposing to provide swimming facilities may be made subject to such terms and conditions as they think fit.
There are no special regulations regarding safety in private pools; water safety generally is intensively promoted by the Irish Water Safety Association, and the association are at present giving special consideration to the question of safety in pools.
Would the Minister consider it mandatory on local authorities and others to make sure that lifeguards are employed at public pools?
As I told the Deputy, section 37 of the Act enables local authorities to employ lifeguards at pools maintained by them and at other pools to which the public are admitted free. I would prefer to leave it to the local authorities.
Sometimes local authorities, when they are not getting an increase in rates, start saving money on these things. The Minister should make it mandatory.
Now that the rates are being reduced they may pay more lifeguards.