A number of factors could be behind a lack of lifeguards at a popular Dublin beach, the head of Water Safety Ireland has said.
A report by staff at Dollymount Strand says they are operating with less than half the required numbers of lifeguards.
Staff say just three lifeguards were recruited this summer when the required number is seven.
They have also flagged substandard equipment and say it took almost two weeks for a rescue quad bike to be fixed.
Dublin City Council says it is reviewing the issues raised.
Water Safety Ireland CEO Dr Joanne Walsh told The Hard Shoulder it is ultimately up to the local council.
"The recruitment of the lifeguard is under the responsibility of the releveant local authority," she said.
"Water Safety Ireland set the standards and best practice for lifeguard training but the local authorities would be responsible for recruiting."
A lifeguard station and equipment on Dublin's Dollymount Strand, 2-8-24. Image: Emma Tyrrell/NewstalkDr Walsh said recruiting can be tough especially in the summer months.
"Lifeguarding normally happens during the bathing period, which is the summer period," she said.
"So local authorities would be competing with all other tourist industries; for example hotels, restaurants [and] shops - lifeguards, generally, the cohort are a younger population.
"They may be finishing college, doing exams so they're all the other competing factors the local authorities would have to compete with."
A view from Dublin's Dollymount Strand, 2-8-24. Image: Emma Tyrrell/NewstalkDr Walsh said Water Safety Ireland trained over 2,000 lifeguards in 2023.
"There is lifeguards out there, they are trained," she said.
"If it is a case that more lifeguards need to be trained, the relevant local authorities through their Water Safety Development Officer can come to us here [and] we can organise more training locally for them.
"Water Safety Ireland during the summer provides water safety weeks where we also provide swimming lessons.
"So if anyone is looking for swimming lessons please get in contact with your local Water Safety Area Committee".
Dr Walsh added that people need to "think water safety" and never swim alone.
