Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 May 2023
423. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the shortage of beach lifeguards in Fingal; if he will raise the rate of pay for beach lifeguards; if his Department will invest in full-time professional year-round core lifeguard services for Dublin and other local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26290/23]
View answerUnder Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he/she is responsible.
My Department oversees workforce planning for the local government sector and it is a requirement that approval is sought for any additional post outside of agreed workforce plan numbers. It is open to the local authorities to submit staff sanction requests and each is examined on a case by case basis.
Most local authorities have a delegated sanction to employ lifeguards on an annual/seasonal basis. Where sanction is required, I understand that any such request from a local authority is processed without delay. I am not aware of any plans to revise the hourly rate of pay for lifeguards.
