COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

MOTION NO. 4

MOTION: Councillor C. Keane

"That this Committee discusses the progress on the provision of toilets at Rathfarnham playground (as already agreed)  and to state when work will commence? Children are using the surrounding area as toilet - as this playground is 'unusually close' to adjacent houses it is imperative that this toilet is provided on health and safety grounds alone."

REPORT:

Representatives of the Parks and Landscape Services Department met with local residents adjacent to Rathfarnham Park in early summer of 2010 and the issue of the provision of a toilet facility in the park was raised by them.  The provision of such a facility was considered previously by the Council and if it was to be provided it would have to be a temporary unit until such time as the permanent layout of the courtyard areas was agreed and where it could be incorporated into whatever buildings would be erected there.  However, the provision of toilets also means the provision of a regular service to maintain them, e.g. cleaning spillages, replacement of toilet rolls, security and so on.  Because of this there are very few public toilets in parks in South Dublin.

The experience of the Council – and indeed other public and private organisations and businesses - in the provision of toilets is that they are subject to vandalism unless they are monitored on a constant basis.  Unless they are monitored and serviced they then become a dis-amenity for the customers they are meant to serve and they present an unacceptable organizational face to the public.  This Council is not in a position to guarantee the provision of such a service apart from the difficulties in accessing the resources to both provide the facility and the staff to undertake the maintenance.

In order to find a practical solution the Council has had discussions with the Office of Public Works (OPW) that control and administer Rathfarnham Castle. The OPW has recently revised its franchise agreement for the Café/Restaurant facility in the building and they are happy that the Café and toilet associated with it can be used by the public accessing the playground in the park.  It is therefore considered that this is the most appropriate and practical arrangement for the provision of toilets in this park at present.  It is also a practical manifestation of the cooperation between public bodies that forms the basis for a more efficient public service.