Funding request sparks debate about whether Graiguecullen Swimming Pool is in Laois
'it is my understanding it is in Carlow and now we are saying it is in Laois,' one Councillor said
A request for Laois funding for Graiguecullen Swimming Pool met with a cool response and sparked a discussion about the geographic location of Graiguecullen.
Independent Cllr Aisling Moran made the request in a motion at the monthly meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District.
She asked: “That Laois County Council give a commitment of annual funding to Graiguecullen Swimming Pool, as it provides a fantastic service and facilities not only to the residents in Graiguecullen, but also to the numerous townlands, villages and schools in the Graiguecullen-Portarlington Municipal District. It is the leisure centre of choice for people living on this side of Laois.”
In a written response, Director of Services Simon Wlaton said: “Annual funding commitments are a matter for Elected Members, considered in the preparation of the Laois County Council Annual Revenue Budget. Laois County Council has considerable, ongoing, financial commitments, towards two Leisure Centres (including swimming pools), both of which provide very popular, well-used services for patrons, from County Laois and beyond.”
On hearing the response, Cllr Moran said “I am not happy with that.”
She said Graiguecullen served a lot of the schools and residents in Laois. Cllr Moran said the pool Portlaoise was 40 minutes away from Graiguecullen.
“It is the third largest town in Laois, probably the quickest growing and we have a huge amount of housing in it,” she pointed out.
Cllr Moran said Carlow supports the pool but it benefits people in Laois as “you could hop from the Laois side to the Carlow side.”
She suggested even a small donation given that the pool served so many Laois residents and she bemoaned the fact that “we are always being forgotten about” in Graiguecullen.
Head of Finance Julie Bergin said “I know where you are coming from” and she suggested it could be discussed another time. “For this year there is nothing available,” Ms Bergin said.
“Just remember one thing. Graiguecullen is in Co Laois,” said Independent Cllr Ben Brennan.
“That swimming pool is in Co Laois. It is in the Carlow Electoral Area but it is in Co Laois, “ he insisted. “All of Graiguecullen is actually in Laois,” he stated. He said Fr Fingleton had worked to get the pool up and running and it served a 15km radius around Laois and Carlow.
“We should be giving some support to that,” he said.
Fianna Fail Cllr Paschal McEvoy, said he didn’t agree. “It is in Carlow and Carlow should be looking after it,” he said. “If it does come up at budget I will be opposing it,” said Cllr McEvoy.
He said a similar situation arose in Portarlington where Offaly residents use the pool but Offaly County Council don’t contribute.
“If it does come up at budget I will be opposing it,” he said.
Independent Cllr Aidan Mullins said “it is my understanding it is in Carlow and now we are saying it is in Laois.”
Cllr Moran said “it is from here to the door” away the Laois border.
Cllr Mullins said “it is in Carlow regardless of what spin you put on it.” He said Laois County Council supports Portarlington and Portlaoise pools as they are both in Laois. “Offaly County Council don’t give a penny,” he said.
“We are putting €1.7 million to upgrade works and repairs in the two leisure centres we have in the county. I don’t see why we owe a penny to a leisure centre outside the county,” he said.
Fianna Fail Cllr Padraig Fleming said he previously requested €10,000 in once off funding but was told the Graiguecullen pool is in Carlow and it couldn’t happen. He said the councillors aren’t able to use their discretionary money either.
Cllr Moran noted there was an Offaly Councillor on the board of Portarlington Leisure Centre. She said it was “crazy” if Offaly was providing nothing towards the swimming pool. She said it should be up to Laois County Council to go after Offaly for funding.
Ms Bergin suggested the issue be discussed, including the possible use of discretionary funding, at the budget meeting.