Mattie McGrath challenges Tursla over Ferry House pool closure

Minister, I'm appealing also. I mean, I have lots of question marks over Tursla and their operations. But this has been a renowned facility for half a century and beyond. But the Dalton Swimming Club and many others have done tremendous work there. The two issues that we bring tonight to the floor of Darwin are issues of dealing with people with, you know, certain disabilities and from a different vulnerable backgrounds. And those are the very people, if we're any good to ourselves and our constituents to look after. They need that support. And I want to see the report that Tursla are saying that they have about, we were told there's a left to get a problem, but there's a full report that has been done. That hasn't been published. It hasn't been given to anyone. So I don't actually, frankly, believe the situation here. It's a contrived issue to try and remove all activities from Ferry House and to allow offices and offices and offices and more offices for Tursla. This is not acceptable. This has been a facility looked after deprived children for, as I said, more than half a century. And beyond. And the brothers there, first of all, and the staff, they do a wonderful job. So we need honest answers here. Why are Tursla taking over this property? I have other calls to make that into a special needs education facility, but that's not what we're on tonight. We're on the Dalton Swimming Club and the jobs and the employment. But more importantly, the children that are using it, young adults and all, and learning to swim. I might bring all kids to death when I was young. So please, we're asking for an intervention here. Thank you, Deputy. Minister. Look, thank you, deputies. And I can hear that both of you are hugely concerned about what has happened. First of all, can I say, first of all, the length of time that the pool has been out of action. There have been significant mechanical and electrical issues identified at the Ferry House pool and sports complex. The pool was closed due to a failure of the electrical periodic testing in response to a notification of hazard issued by the electrical contractor on the 20th of February of this year. On receipt of this information about a significant issue with the pool, the pool needed to be drained and, unfortunately, will remain closed until further notice. Now, in regard to its reopening, Tussler commissioned a mechanical and electrical consultant to carry out further investigations, which saw significant mechanical and electrical issues identified during an assessment. Regrettably, due to these issues, the mechanical and electrical plant serving the pool and sports complex has been deemed to be at end of life and unsafe for continued use. Tussler received an initial cost report at the end of June from the mechanical and electrical consultant, which includes an estimate of the associated costs for mechanical and electrical works only. They have since requested a detailed breakdown and the prioritisation of the works required. It fully understands, Tussler does, and regrets, as does the Minister, the closure of the facility to members of the public. However, at this point in time, and awaiting more details of the costs involved, Tussler is not in a position to provide further information regarding the future of the complex. And the delay in resolving this matter is primarily due to the complexity of the sports and pool facilities at the Ferry House campus. The assessment conducted by the mechanical and electrical consultant required considerable time to complete, followed by the drafting of the preliminary report. Additionally, combining the full scope of associated costs required input from various specialist services. Tussler's core priorities lie in the delivery of essential services for children and families, including child protection and welfare, educational welfare, psychological services, alternative care, family and community-based supports, and early year services. In this context, significant investment in a public sports complex and pool may not align fully with the organisation's primary remit. As such, any decisions regarding the future of the facility will need to be carefully considered in light of the more detailed final report and cost analysis. Tussler are in the process of developing a capital plan to invest in Tussler services on the Ferry House campus. This investment will see the campus utilised by various services across Tussler, including but not limited to social work services, therapy services, regional services, workforce learning and development, and separated children seeking international protection. And that is just some of them. All of these services will benefit the local community. And the next steps, which is, I know, what you are interested in, further discussions will now be required on the future operating model and appropriate funding mechanism with the local authority and the local sports partnerships, given the scale of investment required and the ongoing operating costs associated with the operation of the swimming pool. Tussler welcomes suggestions from local authorities or sports partnerships to work together to find a way forward to the resolution of the closure of the swimming pool. Tussler will continue to engage with all stakeholders to find an appropriate solution for the long-term future of the swimming pool at Ferry House. Tussler, I do support my colleague, please, I'm imploring to, and I have an issue with Tussler. They can't even account for the 50-odd children, I've got to forgive me, that have gone missing in their care, in state care, the last number of years. And I want to meet me here tomorrow to discuss that also. So why are Tussler involved in this premises at all? It's a wonderful facility. And as I said, we have two wonderful schools in Castle, it's called Angus and I'm called Cormac, a great record of special needs education. But we need another one in South Tipperary. Nino getting one badly needed. And West Water, but it's on the border there. So I think Tussler need to be removed from this institution. They haven't engaged, as Deputy Murphy said. They're not listening and they have no intention of engaging with stakeholders either. So I'm pleading with you to intervene here and to keep this facility. I mean, the people providing the lessons, they're not, they have contracts and they're implied. Surely they have some rights as well. Clamelt Rundle, who is a five-year waiting, I thank Rockwell as well, who are helping out, but it just can't function. It's a big town and a big part of Tipperary, so this is not acceptable. Thank you, Deputy. Thank you, Les, Jan. Look, Deputies, all I can say is what I've said to you earlier, that further discussions will be required on the future operating model. And I can't say anything more than that. But the appropriate funding mechanisms will have to include the local authority and local sports partnerships, given the scale of the investment required. And as you are aware, the ongoing costs of operating a swimming pool. And look, you asked about a report, and the report that Tussler has received was a report from the mechanical and electric consultant, which just includes an initial estimate of the associated costs for the works that are needed. Tussler has required a detailed breakdown and prioritisation of the works that are required. It fully understands, as does the Minister, and it really regrets the need to close the facility to members of the public. But at this point, and awaiting more details of costs involved, Tussler is not in a position to provide further information regarding the future of the complex. The Minister emphasises the core priorities of investment for Tussler lie in the delivery of services that are essential to meet Tussler's functions, including child protection and welfare, educational welfare, psychological services, alternative care, family and community-based supports, early years services. And in this context, significant investment in a public sports complex and pool may not align fully with the organisation's primary remit. And as such, any decisions regarding the future of the facility will have to be carefully considered in light of the final report and cost analysis. Can I say that the Minister again stresses that further discussions will be required on the future operating model and appropriate funding mechanism with the local authority sports partnerships, as I said, given the scale of the investment required and the ongoing costs associated with the operation of the swimming pool. And Tussler welcomes suggestions from the local authorities or sports partnerships to work together to find a way forward and close and resolve, actually, the need to close the swimming pool. Thank you. Okay.