COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Thursday, June 17, 2021

MOTION NO.

MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell, Councillor P. Gogarty, Councillor L. O'Toole

Add COS 3 Objective: To support and facilitate the provision of at least two public toilets in every town and village in south Dublin during the lifetime of this plan, at least one of which shall be wheelchair accessible.

REPORT:

The motion as proposed is to support and facilitate the provision of at least two public toilets in every town and village in south Dublin during the lifetime of this plan, at least one of which shall be wheelchair accessible.

In respect to the provision of public toilets, in ‘Being Age Friendly in the Public Realm Guidelines and Good Practice’ guidance document, it states the following:

Providing dedicated standalone public toilets may not necessarily be the answer. Creative solutions to make existing toilets in public or semi-public places available might be a better solution. Supporting and encouraging businesses and public buildings to make their toilets available can contribute to a solution.

It further states in the guidelines the following:

Toilets in public buildings that are accessible both from inside and outside can be very convenient for older people. A balance between the provision and potential abuse of the service needs to be considered prior to the development. Some public toilets have opening hours, which need to be consistent to maximise use.’

The Guidelines provide an example of public toilets in the People’s Park which are easily accessible, located in an area frequented by older people. The maintenance programme is managed by the local authority.

Public toilets are provided in many SDCC facilities during public opening hours, such as County Hall, Clondalkin Civic Offices, Public Libraries, Leisure & Community Centres and Corkagh and Tymon Parks. There are a number of projects underway for various parks in the county which includes the provision of toilets; these are in some cases incorporated into the structure of buildings including community buildings (e.g. the proposed Tymon Park Intergenerational Centre). This facility will provide public toilet facilities in that section of Tymon Park with supervision and maintenance provided by the operator of the community facility.

Having regard to the above, it is considered that the proposed motion should be adopted with amendment as follows:

Insert as a new objective under Chapter 8, Section 8.4 Social/Community Infrastructure, Policy COS 2 Social/Community Infrastructure: [not under Policy COS 3]

COS 2 Policy Objective (X):

To support and facilitate access to public toilet facilities including wheelchair accessible toilet facilities, in all towns and villages in the County.

Recommendation

It is recommended that this motion be adopted with amendment.

Insert as a new objective under Chapter 8, Section 8.4 Social/Community Infrastructure, Policy COS 2 Social/Community Infrastructure: [not under Policy COS 3]

COS 2 Policy Objective 7 (or as may be numbered within this Policy):

To support and facilitate access to public toilet facilities including wheelchair accessible toilet facilities, in all towns and villages in the County.