Kildare Senator "Frustrated" At Lack Of Swimming Facilities In South Of County

She raised concerns about the "lack of a plan" for a Newbridge swimming pool

Fianna Fáil and Kildare Senator Fiona O' Loughlin has expressed her frustration at the response from the Department of Sport to a recent issue she raised about the lack of swimming facilities in south Kildare.

Speaking yesterday (10 November) in the Seanad, she raised concern about the "lack of a plan" for a swimming pool in Newbridge.

"Newbridge is one of the fastest-growing towns in Leinster. It has 27,000 people and is growing. We are 10% ahead of our target in Kildare in relation to house building. Although houses are being built, the infrastructure is, sadly, falling behind," she said.

She also emphasised the importance of learning to swim, especially given the nature of Ireland as an island with many water sources.

The Senator cited that there were 56 accidental drownings 2024, while 20 percent of people in the country don't know how to swim.

In a response from Minister of State Niall Collins, on behalf of the Sports Department, he detailed various projects taking place across the county, mostly in the north.

Minister Collins welcomed the "detailed site feasibility study" being carried out by Kildare County Council on the Leixlip Demesne townland in relation to the potential delivery of a swimming pool there.

He also explained funding for sport-related projects that have benefited the county in recent years:

"Over €250 million was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 from the 2023 round of the community sports facilities fund. Almost €9 million was allocated to 103 projects in Kildare in 2024, including projects in Newbridge.

"The new round of the community sports facilities fund opened for applications on 19 October and will remain open until Friday, 26 February 2027. Applications in relation to swimming pools that support objectives under the national swimming strategy will be prioritised," he added.

"To date, there have been two rounds of the large scale sport infrastructure fund, with a cumulative investment of €297 million across 68 projects. Under the 2018 round of the large scale sport infrastructure fund, in excess of €6 million was awarded to St. Conleth's Park GAA grounds in Newbridge.

"Under the 2024 round, the Naas cross-community development project was awarded €1 million. The Golf Ireland high performance centre was awarded €1.4 million and Sallins Park community sports centre was awarded €3 million."

Senator O' Loughlin was quick to express her dismay at the response, remarking that "I have no doubt the Minister of State was as frustrated as I was when he was reading out that and I was listening"

"There is plenty of mention of north Kildare, Dublin and the national strategy but the only mention of Newbridge was in relation to the county grounds at St. Conleth's Park.

"Of course we are very happy to have it in the centre of Kildare. It is a fantastic facility but it does not address the needs of the people of Newbridge," she emphasised.

Senator O' Loughlin criticised the response for it's lack of accountability on the issue and that it is "just back to Kildare County Council" to solve the issue.

"I acknowledge that Kildare County Council has to play a really important role but I believe that following the first ever national swimming strategy, which was launched two years ago, there should be a national strategy for the provision of swimming pools.

"Swim Ireland, a national organisation, did a county facility report, which clearly shows the massive gap in public pool space across Kildare and particularly in the south of the county.

She concluded by saying, "I am really pleased that work will commence for Leixlip and possibly for Maynooth as well".

"However, that does not take away from the urgent need in Kildare, for all the reasons I have outlined, to have a swimming pool there. There needs to be a partnership approach between the Department and Kildare County Council."

The full Seanad exchange with Senator O' Loughlin can be heard below: