Fine Gael City Councillor, Clodagh Higgins has today welcomed the decision of the City Hall pact to support her proposal for a Changing Places facility in Salthill. 

A Changing Places facility is larger than a standard accessible toilet in that it provides 12 sq. metres of floor space and additional equipment such as a full coverage ceiling tract hoist and a height adjustable adult size changing bench. 

Councillor Higgins first proposed the introduction of a Changing Places facility in October 2019 and further raised a motion on the matter in December of last year which was unanimously supported by her council colleagues across all political parties. 

Councillor Higgins stated “I am delighted that the ruling pact on Galway City Council decided to unanimously support my proposal for a Changing Places facility for Salthill”. 

€40,000 funding for the facility was agreed by the pact on foot of a proposal put forward by Councillor Higgins. Councillor Higgins further donated her full allocation of €10,000 to ensure the project goes ahead. 

She said “The cost of providing a Changing Places facility is approximately €50,000 excluding maintenance costs. To make up any possible shortfall I will be requesting a meeting with the Minister of State with responsibility for Disabilities, Anne Rabbitte TD, to obtain the additional funding to cover the full costs”. 

Councillor Higgins said “There are thirteen Changing Places facilities in Ireland and eight of these are located in Dublin and I found it really difficult to comprehend why no Changing Places facility was available in Galway. However, this position has changed as a result of my council colleagues buying into my vision and I am enormously grateful to them for this. This is a game changer for people with complex needs. It will improve their quality of life and make everyday tasks that bit easier”.