COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 13, 2021

QUESTION NO 25.

QUESTION: Councillor L. O'Toole

To ask the Chief Executive if there is any update on progress re costing for outdoor public toilets as agreed in this Council last year.

REPLY:

The feasibility study requested on the provision of public toilets has not been completed as yet.  This issue was being discussed by the Council at a time when access for the public to toilet facilities at cafes, restaurants and bars was not available due to Covid 19 restrictions and measures.  These restrictions no longer apply and public access is available to all of those facilities which have been traditionally open to the public.  Information available on-line in relation to publicly accessible toilets indicates that there are many options available in all town and village centre locations in the county.

Preliminary costings have been prepared on the provision of public toilets and these vary depending on the type of facility which might be provided and lie in a range which starts at around €50,000 per year for a single person, temporary pay-as-you-go type unit.  A more permanent facility which would cater for more than one user at a time would involve a capital cost to put it in place as well as an ongoing cost to service and maintain it and would be expected to cost around €150,000 to €200,000 per unit to develop and approximately €25,000 per year to maintain it.  It had been suggested that multiple units should be provided in each urban centre and this would obviously multiply the unit costs.  The feasibility study will examine other relevant issues such as siting, services, potential levels of usage and income to be generated as well as costs.  Once completed this information will be made available to the elected members.