DERELICT buildings in rural towns and villages could be adapted to provide public toilet facilities, according to a local councillor.

Councillor P J Kelly called on Clare County Council to provide grant aid to community groups who wish to enhance existing leisure facilities by providing low-cost toilet facilities.

Speaking at a recent local authority meeting, Councillor Kelly outlined community facilities could be refurbished to include public toilets at a low cost compared with providing new standalone public conveniences.

The long-serving Fianna Fáil Councillor thanked the council for maintaining the public toilets in Lissycasey, which are widely used by locals and visitors.

He was supported by Councillor Cillian Murphy who stressed people were looking for facilities to help them access walking routes and mountains.

Instead of building new facilities, he proposed that the council should look at existing facilities in local communities such as GAA clubs that already have car parks, changing rooms, toilets and showers.

Last year, Councillor Murphy recalled he donated some of his general municipal allowance to Doonbeg Community Development to allow them keep the toilets in the community centre open during the summer months because there is no public toilet in the village.

Rural development director, Leonard Cleary outlined at local level, the council provides grants through the Community Support Scheme to community groups wishing to enhance public areas and amenities.

“The provision of funding under the scheme for the facilities as proposed could be considered. Groups applying for such funding need to ensure that appropriate permissions are in place at the time of application.

“In the case of toilet facilities, planning permission is likely to be required and where this is in place along with any other necessary permissions, consideration can be given to provision of funding through the Community Support Scheme.

“At a national level, grant funding for such facilities could be considered where they form part of a larger project. Examples of such schemes include the Town and Village Renewal Scheme the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme and the Community Enhancement Programme for disadvantaged groups,” he said.

By Dan Danaher