COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, March 09, 2009

QUESTION NO. 8

QUESTION: Councillor K. Warren

To ask the Manager if consideration has been given by South Dublin County Council to introduce a “passport for leisure” discount arrangement for persons over the age of 55 years, similar to the initiative which was taken by Dublin City Council some years ago, and which provides discounted rates for persons in this age category to access leisure facilities provided by the Council, and if he will make a statement on the matter?

 

REPLY:

The cost of running all the Council’s leisure facilities are currently under review. It is essential that facilities are sustainable in the present economic climate and the challenge is for the Council to be able to maintain the level of services in the light of the downturn where people have considerably less disposable income.

However, it must be borne in mind that the range of facilities provided by the Council are already available at very competitive prices, where they are not actually free of charge.

In the present circumstances, and without pre-empting the current review, it would not be practical to introduce a broad discount arrangement for over 55s, especially where it may lead to anomalies such as a person over 55 in employment using the facilities at a lower cost than that paid by an unemployed 35 year old.

When  the review is completed members will be updated.