Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2022
276. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason that the Office of Public Works will not allow access to the swimming pool in the Garda college, Templemore, in order that a person can provide swimming and water safety and life-saving classes. [53325/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the Commissioners do not comment on individual licence applications, I can confirm that the OPW has supported the long tradition of the Garda authorities making the facilities at the Garda College available to the community for use by local schools and community/voluntary groups.
The swimming pool in the Garda Training College is primarily for use by the trainees at the College, but they can be made available to local schools and community/voluntary groups, where appropriate. Arising from an audit relating to the Garda College in 2017, the Garda College and the OPW put a licensing system in place in order to continue this practice and regularise the licensing arrangements.
Where a group is interested in using the facilities, they must apply to the Garda College, in the first instance as the application process is managed by the Garda College. If deemed appropriate, the College will then request the OPW to grant a licence to the group for the use of the pool facilities. The assessment and approval of applications rests with the Garda College authorities in terms of satisfying conditions around insurance, vetting, etc in advance of submitting an application to the OPW to enter into a licence agreement. In addition, it is for the group to arrange that the relevant qualified persons, e.g. lifeguards are present during the period of use of the facilities.
The OPW continues to support the Garda authorities in making the facilities available, where possible, to schools and community groups, on a not-for-profit basis, in line with their decisions on the running of the College. If a decision is made by the Garda authorities to permit private operators use the facilities to provide services on a commercial charging basis, this would require a procurement process to be undertaken in line with procurement guidelines. Any decision around the day-to-day operation of facilities at the College is a matter for the Garda authorities, who consult the OPW as the property owner.
