SWIMMING CERT

Call to make water safety lessons part of school curriculum after drowning spate

- BY JOHN KIERANS

THE Department of Education is to be asked to make swimming lessons part of the school curriculum to help save lives.

The demand was made by Senator Alison Comyn this week following the tragic deaths of a number of young people around the country while bathing in recent weeks.

Education Minister Helen McEntee is to be called to the Seanad to discuss the proposal.

Senator Comyn said: “The recent tragic loss of three young lives to drowning serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to prioritise water safety education in our schools.

“My condolences to the families of Emmanuel Familola and his friend Matt Sibanda who lost their lives in Donegal and of seven-year-old Alan Singh who sadly drowned in Sligo.