Vol. 466 No. 8
93 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment the number of deaths arising out of swimming and/or water sport activities in 1995; the number of such deaths to date in 1996; the additional measures, if any, he intends to introduce to help prevent such accidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12381/96]
Provisional figures compiled by the National Safety Council indicate that there were 77 accidental water deaths in 1995. No more recent figures are available in my Department. The promotion of water safety is a function of the local authorities and the National Safety Council. The role of the local authorities includes making by laws for the regulation of bathing and bathing places, the employment of life guards, the provision of equipment and appliances for life saving and arranging for instruction in swimming and life saving.
The National Safety Council actively promotes the dissemination of information on water safety, liaises with the Department of Education on water safety matters for school children, issues guidelines for local authorities on water safety matters and through local committees, organises and supports swimming and life saving courses. More than 80,000 persons were awarded certificates for attendance at such courses in 1995.
