The management of the National Aquatic Centre have told Deputy Joan Burton that they have plans to redesign their swimming and diving programmes to produce a facility for high performance swimming.

Management of the NAC also told Deputy Burton that they are conducting a complete Health Check of the NAC from maintenance and water quality issues, to financial systems, human resources and marketing and sales.

When this detailed audit of the NAC has been completed, a report will be made to the Minister for Arts Sports and Tourism and there will be a re-launch of the Centre under the new plans.

Deputy Burton said, “There is a great deal of support for the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin 15. People are very anxious to see it having a long term viable future but there are still concerns that it is currently not back to the level of operation, prestige and promotion which was promised when the centre was first opened.

“The Centre has been dogged by controversy since the opening but the decision of the Supreme Court in December 2006 to vest full possession of the centre in the National Sports Campus Development Authority presents an opportunity for the Centre start over again”.

“The potential is there in the NAC for a world class swimming and diving centre to be developed and this would be a huge bonus for the whole of the Dublin 15 area.”