Caught short by money shortage
Kerry County Council is caught short in relation to building new public toilets.
The county development plan aims to provide such toilets in 14 extra locations, but there is no money at present to do so.
Toilets are also unlikely to be provided for a long time at a pier in popular tourist town Kenmare which is not even on the list of 14.
Kenmare pier is used by many visitors and local people, who have been demanding a public convenience for many years.
The council is responsible for 29 public conveniences around Kerry, but senior officials say there is no money in the present budget for permanent, or temporary, facilities in Kenmare, or elsewhere.
They also say that acquiring in site in Kenmare would add to costs and there would be an issue relating to effluent disposal at such a sensitive location.
Raising the issue, Cllr Johnny Healy-Rae said there was a great need for a pier-side public toilet, in Kenmare, a growing tourist destination.
Meanwhile, a public consultation process has got under way with plans by Killarney Town Council to provide toilets at a children’s playground in the National Park. Parents and councillors have been seeking such facilities at the playground, located in Knockreer, on the edge of the town.
