Public toilets in busy West Cork village 'way beyond needing an upgrade'

Recent inspection of Ballydehob's public toilets identified a number of problems, including a slippery floor during wet weather, and a door design that allows wind and rain into the building

Elderly people and those with mobility issues had difficulty using the public toilets in Ballydehob, councillors heard. File picture: Denis Minihane

Public toilets in Ballydehob are in need of a major upgrade and are difficult for some elderly people and those with mobility issues to use, a meeting of Cork County Council's West Cork Municipal District has heard.

The issue was raised by Independent Ireland's Danny Collins, who initially called on Cork County Council to provide standalone public toilets in the village. 

Mr Collins told the meeting a better solution may be for the council to work with Ballydehob Community Hall Association to upgrade the existing facilities and put a new agreement in place.

He said Ballydehob was one of the busiest villages in West Cork during the summer months, hosting numerous festivals and events. 

The village's only public toilets are attached to the community hall and operate under an agreement signed between Cork County Council and Ballydehob Community Hall Association in 2008. 

Mr Collins said the 10-year agreement had since expired.

He said a recent inspection identified a number of problems, including a slippery floor during wet weather, and a door design that allows wind and rain into the building. 

Mr Collins also said the layout of the toilets made them difficult for elderly people and those with mobility impairments to use. “The toilets are outdated and need to be upgraded,” he said.

Fine Gael's Caroline Cronin supported the motion, and agreed that standalone toilets were probably not the best option. 

She said the arrangement with the community hall had worked well over the years, but added that “the toilets are way beyond needing an upgrade”. 

Mr Collins agreed the council should engage with the community hall committee to develop a proposal for improving the facilities.

In a written response, municipal district officer Eimear O'Neill said the council was reviewing the status of its lease and associated agreements with Ballydehob Community Association. 

She said any future plans for public toilet provision in the village would be informed by the outcome of that review.

This article is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme