That this area committee agrees that Dublin City Council provides stand-alone public toilets as previously requested by Councillors. These public toilets to be of a similar standard as those provided by Fingal County Council.
Minutes:
That this area committee agrees that Dublin City Council provides stand-alone public toilets as previously requested by Councillors. These public toilets to be of a similar standard as those provided by Fingal County Council.
Reply:
The provision of retail units with integrated toilet facilities is a solution that has been communicated, discussed and agreed with Councillors for over a year.
The advantages of this model over the simple provision of public toilets are as follows:
- The provision in association with retail units allows for passive supervision of users from a safety perspective.
- The provision managed this way also allows for immediate intervention if cleanliness or vandalism issues arise.
- The provision using this model provides for a much higher standard of toilet provision. One of the key lessons learned during the pandemic was that people were significantly more likely to use public toilets when the quality was higher.
- The economic model also removes all revenue and capital cost of provision from Dublin City Council.
- The model provides additional benefits in that it also services the refreshment needs of users of the public realm.
It is accepted that there are objections to this model from a small number of people, including other businesses who feel that this is competition, but on balance Dublin City Council feels that this model is correct for us.
Contact: Coilin O’Reilly – Assistant Chief Executive, Housing and Community Services
Email: coilin.oreilly@dublincity.ie
Order: Agreed.
Councillor O’Farrell stated that he wasn’t happy with the lack of delivery of public toilets. He said he never voted on this and wants stand-alone toilets rather than toilets attached to a kiosk. Is there any data on it? Has there been a “before and after” survey on the subject? Where are the promised toilets located?
Manager Karl Mitchell stated that the city recovery met with all councillors in this regard and opted for this model as best practice – toilets attached to a kiosk, providing security & passive supervision of the toilets, including cleanliness and maintenance of the facility. He said other options could be looked at going forward.
Councillor Heney queried when the public toilets will be delivered into St. Anne’s Park. Councillor Stocker stated that public toilets in whatever guise, are just not being delivered. She is looking for toilets to be delivered now, whether they are standalone or attached to a kiosk. Fergus O’Carroll stated that there is a kiosk with accompanying toilet in Fairview Park operating on a part time basis at the moment, but it will be moving to a 7 day operation as part of its licence.
Councillor Cooney requested that eco toilets be provided.
Councillor Heney requested that Fergus O’Carroll compile a list of time expected dates for when coffee dock associated toilets (or toilets generally) will be delivered in Parks and a list for the North Central Area generally for the next meeting. Manager Karl Mitchell stated that the area office would give a list of promised toilets and would liaise with Parks for their list. Councillor Roe queried the policy in relation to stand alone toilets – have Dublin City Council decided against stand-alone toilets?
The Manager stated that in terms of city recovery, he would look at all models for toilet provision and he will come back to the full council on this.
At this juncture, Councillor Patricia Roe called for extra time as the meeting was going over two hours. Agreed by the members.