A number of local authorities have had difficulty recruiting sufficient lifeguards to patrol beaches across the country this summer.
Portmarnock beach: Nationwide, the challenges facing local authorities in recruitment of lifeguards include a lack of transport, a desire to travel, a shortage of temporary affordable accommodation, and people needing to sit Leaving Cert and third-level exams. Photograph: Colin Keegan
Fingal County Council is one of the local authorities experiencing a significant recruitment shortfall, having recruited 28 lifeguards despite needing 35 to provide a seven-day service on all its beaches during July and August. “The reduced number of [lifeguards] will see us having to close some lifeguard stations at the quieter beaches in order to provide a full service at the busier and more challenging locations,” a spokesperson said.
Similarly, Sligo County Council ideally would like to have 15 lifeguards but has only 12 for this summer. “We have sufficient cover, albeit we are operating on a skeleton staff,” a spokesperson said. “There is a lifeguard shortage on an annual basis, and it’s a nationwide issue.” said Sligo County Council, as huge crowds are expected to flock to the country’s beaches this bank holiday weekend.
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