Beaches may be left without life guards

March 2009

WICKLOWS beaches will be stranded without any lifeguards over the summer months unless the Government have a complete change of heart.

An embargo on public sector recruitment means the council won’t be allowed to recruit any lifeguards. The recruitment ban could also have disastrous consequences for the Fire Services as well.

Wicklow Town Mayor John O’Brien believes the Government’s stance is ‘alarming news.’

‘We are a seaside town. People from all over the country flock to Wicklow’s beaches during the summer. It’s a matter of safety and it’s essential that we have lifeguards in place.

‘It could also affect the fire services. They are on retainers, so this whole embargo could well affect them as well. We have asked for confirmation but the Department still haven’t gotten back to us.’

The stringent new measures have already had one victim. The town council weren’t allowed offer the park operative a new contract once his old one expired this month, despite purposefully setting aside money in the beginning of the year budget to retain his services.