Not ‘practicable’ to install Changing Places toilets in all Meath council buildings
It may not be “practicable” to install Changing Places toilets in all existing Meath County Council buildings, the local authority has said.
At the April meeting, Fine Gael councillor John Duffy asked Meath County Council what progress had been made in identifying civic buildings where such facilities could be installed.
Changing Places toilets are specialised facilities designed to support people with complex disabilities, providing additional space and equipment.
In their written response, the council said the provision of such facilities is governed by building regulations which state that “where sanitary facilities are provided in a building, or in a building that is to be extended, adequate provision shall be made for people to access and use a changing places toilet, having regard to the use and size of the building.”
“This means that Changing Places toilets are to be provided in new facilities and even then, there are criteria to be met, usually when a building exceeds a minimum floor area,” the local authority said.
“It also applies to existing buildings that are being extended, again with a caveat that the extension must exceed 25pc of the existing floor area.”
According to Meath County Council, these requirements are considered in all new developments, with a Changing Places toilet included in the recently completed Bettystown Library.
However, it added that installing the facilities in many existing buildings is not feasible.
“Due to the minimum dimensions required for a Changing Places toilet, incorporation of this facility into most of the existing Meath County Council buildings would not be practicable,” the council said.