I am pleased the Chair has given me the opportunity to raise this matter which I hope will not be regarded as too parochial. I ask the appropriate Minister to introduce a programme to discriminate in favour of inland swimming pools given that many people have no alternative but to use local pools. I understand that in the midland counties of Longford, Westmeath, Offaly and Laois there are ten voluntary run pools, of which four have received grants over the years, five have grant applications pending and one is being run without the assistance of State funding. Many of these pools have fallen into a state of disrepair in recent years and the local authorities and voluntary organisations concerned are unable to provide the necessary funding to finance the appropriate refurbishment works. They are operating on a shoestring budget. Money has to be raised by flag days, cake sales, church gate collections and so on.
I ask the Government to co-ordinate the operations of inland swimming pools under the aegis of one Department, preferably the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation rather than the Department of the Environment and Local Government, and introduce a five year action programme with priority being given to pools in the midlands. It is less than acceptable that spanking new pools can be provided at a cost of in excess of £1 million in major centres of population within easy reach of the sea while the run down pools in the midland counties mentioned, located at least one hour's drive from the nearest seaside resort and coastal towns, remain closed for most of the year leaving young people in particular without swimming facilities. It is only fair that major centres of population in the midlands should be given priority in terms of swimming pool development. It is unjust that hundreds of thousands of pounds from the national lottery and the public purse are expended year after year on facilities for people who live within walking distance of the sea.
The midlands regions have suffered in more ways than one. They have never been properly identified as separate regions. The appropriate Department should consider the swimming pool facilities in Counties Longford, Westmeath, Offaly and Laois and ensure that the people of those areas are not disadvantaged.
