Irish tourism and sport minister Michael Ring has announced the final round of grants to be used for improving disabled access at swimming pools across the country.

More than EUR800,000 (£697,850) will be shared by seven publicly-owned facilities to help upgrade provision for people with disabilities, such as widened doorways and new ramps.

Meanwhile, further funding has also been allocated under the green swimming pool initiative in a bid to help facilities become more energy efficient and reduce the cost to the taxpayer.

Ring said: "These public swimming pools are eligible for funding under this scheme because they are owned by the local authority, which applied on their behalf in each case."

Millions of euro has been invested by the Irish government in improving disabled access and energy efficiency at swimming pools through the funding programme.