BREAKING: Swimming pool and sports complex in Tipperary have closed

A Clonmel swimming pool where more than 500 children, some of whom with disabilities, had taken weekly swimming lessons up to last February has closed.

Deputy Michael Murphy said he is very disappointed with the decision of the child and family agency Tusla to close the swimming pool and sports complex at Ferryhouse, which he said had served the wider community of Clonmel and surrounding areas for many decades.

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Following representations by Deputy Murphy, Tusla stated that “Unfortunately, due to significant mechanical and electrical issues identified (by M&E Consultants), the pool and sports complex have been deemed ‘end of life’ and unsafe to use. 

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“We await a full report from the M&E Consultant, including a magnitude of costs for what has been identified. Whilst we understand and regret that the closure of the pool and sports complex is affecting members of the public, we are not yet in a position to provide further detail on the future of same in the absence of the full report and magnitude of costs”.

The statement added, “Tusla is in the process of developing a Capital Plan to invest in Tusla Services on the Ferryhouse Campus. 

“This investment will see the campus utilised by various services across Tusla, including but not limited to Social Work Services (access and child friendly spaces), Therapy Services, Regional Services i.e. Children’s Residential Services Management Teams and National Services i.e. Workforce Learning and Development (training accommodation) and Separated Children Seeking International Protection”.

Deputy Murphy said he had since contacted Tusla, seeking clarification on a number of issues. 

He asked the child and family agency, who are M&E Consultants; when did M&E carry out this assessment; was a separate assessment carried out on the mechanical issues and who carried it out; and if a report was issued on the mechanical issues.

He also requested a  timeline and copies for both the mechanical and electrical issues reports, what costs had already been identified, and who made the decision to declare the pool “end of life”.