Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Thousands of children and adults with disabilities are severely restricted in this country as they cannot find a toilet with proper equipment. They often have to go through the indignity of being changed on the floor of a public toilet or stay at home altogether.

Changing Places toilet facilities are urgently needed in every county in Ireland. In Northern Ireland, there are approximately 40 of these Changing Places but in the Republic there are only 12 registered Changing Places. Eight of these are in Dublin, with only one in Munster, which is in Limerick. Without Changing Places toilet facilities available throughout the country, people with disabilities are denied a basic human right. Equipment to install Changing Places costs approximately €15,000. Changing Places facilities are designed to enhance the health, safety, comfort and dignity of someone who needs extra support. I ask the Taoiseach to work with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, to grant funding to local authorities and voluntary organisations to install Changing Places in every county at an estimated cost of €550,000.

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