Sinn Fein’s TD Conor D. McGuinness is calling on Waterford City and County Council to take the next step towards delivering a long-awaited public swimming pool for Dungarvan.

McGuinness says the “ball is now firmly in the Council’s court” after engaging with Government ministers on future funding opportunities for the project.

The deputy has written to every elected member of the authority urging them to support funding for the initial development stages of a swimming pool as part of the authority’s next Capital Plan.

According to Deputy McGuinness, Government ministers have reaffirmed their commitment to investing in major sporting infrastructure through the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund, which has already allocated more than €41 million to swimming pool and aquatic projects nationwide.

He said Dungarvan remains one of the few towns of its size in Ireland without a public swimming pool.

Deputy McGuinness believes the Council should now begin preparatory work, including planning and design, so the project is in a strong position to apply for national funding when the next round of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund opens.

He also said he hopes councillors from across the political spectrum will support including funding for the early stages of the project in the Council’s upcoming Capital Plan, adding that he will continue to press Government to ensure funding is available when the opportunity arises.