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For Written Answer on : 07/03/2024
Question Number(s): 235 Question Reference(s): 11274/24
Department: Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Tourism; Culture; Arts; Gaeltacht; Sport and Media the number of submissions received by her Department as part of the public consultation on the development of a National Swimming Strategy; the findings of the public consultation process; when she expects to be in a position to publish the strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
Both the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 and the Sports Action Plan 2021-2023 commit to the development of a National Swimming Strategy. A Working Group chaired by my Department was established in 2022 and tasked with developing the Strategy. The working group comprises representatives from relevant National Governing Bodies for sport and stakeholders, specifically Swim Ireland, Sport Ireland, Active Disability Ireland (formerly CARA), Ireland Active and the Local Authorities.
Extensive stakeholder and public engagement, including a public consultation process, has allowed for a wide range of viewpoints to be considered in shaping this Strategy. The consultation process closed for submissions on 7th October 2022 with nearly 6,000 contributions submitted for consideration.
A detailed analysis of the data collected was completed in 2023 and the findings have assisted the drafting of the National Swimming Strategy document.
The Strategy document has been largely completed and is currently undergoing a process of review and quality assurance. It is intended to have the document ready for publication in the second quarter of this year.
