Local representatives have raised concerns about the proposed prices for the new public pool in Lucan. People Before Profit representative for Lucan Mark Kerins raised the concerns after figures were released showing that prices at the new pool will be higher than those at the public pools in Clondalkin and Tallaght. The party had previously called for the pool to be managed directly by the council. People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny echoed the concerns raised by local residents and praised the community for its resolve in campaigning for the pool.
Mark Kerins said: “I’ve lived in Lucan all my life and I’ve been eagerly awaiting the opening of the public pool. It’s really disappointing to see that the prices will be almost the same, or even more than the private facilities in the area. For example, an annual membership for a single adult will cost you €550 at the public facility but only €495 in a nearby private facility.
“This is completely unacceptable when the pool has been built using public funds. People Before Profit has been calling for the pool to be managed directly by the council, or a council-owned entity like in Clondalkin. Our councillor Madeleine Johansson proposed a motion to this effect in 2021 which was completely ignored by council management.”
Gino Kenny TD added: “Nearly €13 million of public money has been spent on an excellent facility, only for it to be operated by a private company that will be charging more than any other public pool. The Lucan community have been campaigning for decades for a public pool and these prices are a slap in the face for local people. This just shows why we need public facilities to be operated and managed directly by the council and not private companies.”
