Concern that there is ‘nothing in the budget’ for Donegal Town toilets

Councillors in the Municipal District (MD) of Donegal have raised concerns that the public toilets are not fit for purpose.

Of particular concern is the toilet for people with disabilities, and calls have been made for special arrangements for disability toilet facilities to be put in place, especially at night time. 

The matter was raised at the December MD meeting by Cllr Micheál Naughton (FF). 

“Donegal Town is one of the fastest growing towns not only in Donegal but in the north west region and we have a public toilet not fit for purpose,” he said. 

The councillor expressed his frustration at the slow progress on the matter, and on the absence of a concrete plan, suggesting that it reflected unfairly on public representatives. 

“The public thinks we don’t bring these things up, or we are not working on them,” he said. “Every time I go into the town someone is talking to me about that. 

“There is nothing in the budget for the public toilets. It needs to be addressed. 

“I want something back here for our January meeting about what way we want to go forward.”

He was supported by Cllr Manus Boyle (FG). 

“The last few times I have been up in Donegal Town people are saying the toilets are not fit for purpose,” he said.

Cllr Boyle drew attention to the challenges faced by people with disabilities.

“The last time I was down there, I met a girl in a wheelchair. There is a disabled toilet there that you cannot get into.”

The councillor suggested that toilets at a HSE building could be made  at night via a key fob to people with a disability.

“It should be that she could go for a night out in Donegal Town,” said Cllr Boyle.

“These people need to go to the toilet too.”

Cathoairleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Niamh Kennedy (Ind), said that she felt that the building that was being suggested was ‘a bit far out of town,’

She said that a proposal had been made at Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) level that a toilet in a town centre premises could be open to people with disabilities by arrangement. The owner would be paid a fee.

“It would be a lot better and cleaner and it would have easier access,” said Cllr Kennedy.

“I ask, can we get some hotel that would allow access and they could be paid for that service until we get toilets sorted out?”

Donegal County Council’s Environment Section was represented at the meeting by Suzanne Bogan. 

She said: “I will follow up on that to see if anybody has actioned anything on that.”