Green light for Changing Place-Public Convenience facility for Letterkenny

Donegal County Council has given the green light for the construction of public convenience facilities including a changing place unit at Letterkenny Retail Park, Paddy Harte Road, in the town.

The sanction was formalised at Monday's meeting of the council in Lifford where it was jointly proposed by councillors Donal Coyle and Donal Mandy Kelly and seconded by Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh who originally spearheaded the initiative.

He had often pointed out that there were many occasions when the lack of such a facility means that disabled people often have to use toilet floors for changing and often it means that families just simply cannot go to places because facilities are not available.

He tabled a motion to the local authority in October 2021 asking that they apply for funding for a Changing Places facility in Letterkenny and to seek funding from the Disability Participation and Awareness Fund to get the job done.

As a result of his efforts, the sum of €55,000 was subsequently awarded from that fund and a further €16,000 was secured more recently from the Minor Tourism Fund.

“This has made it possible for Donegal County Council to progress their plans and a site at the Retail Park has now been agreed upon for the facility. Two other toilets will also be provided at the same site which is great news for the many shoppers to the Retail Park who have been calling for public toilets in the area for years," said Cllr Kavanagh at that time.

“The Changing Places facility will make a huge difference for people with complex disabilities. Their families and carers will also be most grateful.

Cllr Kavanagh added: “Changing Places facilities provide the necessary safety, the fit-for-purpose environment necessary to take care of the needs and protect the dignity of the person and allow people who need such facilities to attend and enjoy more community activities and events."