Cross-party support for pilot mobile sensory unit and accessible toilets at Kildare council events
It's expected that the initiative will launch as a pilot project later this year.
'This move aims to improve the experience and accessibility of events for people with sensory sensitivities and/or disabilities,' explained Cllr Melrose.
'Data collected from the pilot will be used when considering future provision to events of 500 or more attendees.
'Everyone deserves to enjoy our community events in comfort and dignity. A mobile sensory unit offers a quiet, safe space for those overwhelmed by crowds and noise. Just a few minutes in one of these rooms can help someone to reset, regulate, and then continue to enjoy the event.
'While changing places are a priority for the council, we are still quite a bit away from being able to offer full accessibility at our events.
'Providing an onsite mobile accessible toilet ensures basic facilities for people with mobility needs. Crucially, this includes a hoist for independent use, an issue which gets raised again and again by accessibility groups across the county.'
Cllr Melrose added that he hopes this initiative will be rolled out to smaller events with under 3,000 attendees down the line.
'Having seen first-hand families using and embracing these facilities at the Kildare Inclusivity Festival in May, it was a cause I felt compelled to champion,' he said.
'I'm grateful for the support received from fellow members including Kildare county councillors Peggy O'Dwyer (Fine Gael) and Donna Phelan (Fianna Fáil), both champions of inclusivity and accessibility in their own rights.
'I will continue to work closely with the council on this initiative and hope to see it grow and reach smaller events in our towns and villages.
'People and families often choose to attend an event based on what facilities are available to them, and I want to ensure that everyone is afforded an equal chance to enjoy what Kildare has to offer.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
6 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Harris says Govt 'not rowing back' on hospitality VAT cut
Tánaiste Simon Harris has said he is "not rowing back" on Programme for Government commitments to cut the hospitality VAT rate despite saying the timing of any measure will be decided on budget day. Speaking to reporters at Government Buildings, the Tánaiste said while the cut will be the "subject of budget negotiations", the Programme for Government has made "clear commitments" in relation to the matter. Last week, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe indicated that while the hospitality VAT rate cut from 13.5% to 9.5% is still planned, introducing the measure in autumn's budget would take up almost two thirds of the available tax reduction space. In the immediate aftermath of the remark, a number of Government sources indicated that the hospitality VAT rate cut could now be delayed until next summer - a move understood to be supported by some in Fianna Fáil but opposed by Fine Gael. Asked about the possible delay to the tax cut, which business groups say is needed in order to protect jobs, Tánaiste Simon Harris said "the timing of any measure will be a matter for budget day". However, when asked if he is "rowing back" on his previous position in early summer that the tax cut commitment was a "solemn" promise, he added: "I'm not rowing back on anything, but I suppose I'm being respectful to the budgetary process. "The Programme for Government says what it says. I believe the Programme for Government is very important, it's a contract between two political parties and some Independent TDs, and therefore I believe the words in it matter. "It talks about reducing the cost base for small businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector around food. And we'll work our way through that." The Tánaiste repeated his position that he is "not going to get into specific budget measures or the timing, other than to say all of this can be discussed in the round". However, he said that "towards the end of the summer" Government intends "to take stock again" in relation to the potential impact of international trade and tariffs deals, "and then we'll reserve the right to finesse the summer economic statement as required".
Irish Independent
11 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Councillors call for urgent work on ‘very dangerous' road in south Dublin
Hillcrest Road, which runs between Lambs Cross and Kilgobbin Road, was described as a 'white-knuckle ride'. The planned improvements will see new facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, in addition to new lighting and widening of the road for commuters. Green Party Councillor Oisín O'Connor said the plan has been 'a long time coming'. 'I have walked, cycled and driven along this road and I have seen it for myself. It's a white-knuckle ride,' he said. 'Even if you're cycling and another cyclist is coming towards you, it feels like the roads are too narrow. 'This road is so dangerous to walk or cycle on, you have to take a 1.3km journey just to get around it. That's a huge diversion for people using that road.' During a public consultation, people called for a traffic management plan in the area and asked for speed ramps to be introduced on the route. The Hillcrest Road Improvement Scheme will see the widening of the existing road and adding segregated footpaths and cycle tracks on both sides. It will also include new public lighting, boundary works like walls and fencing, and other utilities. Fine Gael Councillor Kazi Ahmed called for interim measures to be put in place urgently before the improvement works begin. 'I live in the area. In 2019, one constituent in my ward said she had broken her mirror three times driving on that road,' he said. 'We need to ensure the cycle lane and pedestrian crossing will fit within the plan as it exists.' Fellow Fine Gael councillor Pierce Dargan echoed the sentiment, saying pedestrians and drivers alike have been asking for improvements to the road. 'There are multiple wing mirrors that have been broken on that route,' he said. 'If you try and push a pram down the sidewalk, I'm telling you, I did it once with my daughter and I'm not going to do it again. 'I believe it's important to improve the road safety even in advance of the work commencing.' Cllr O'Connor asked council management to put in traffic calming and other measures while the improvement works are carried out. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
RTÉ News
a day ago
- RTÉ News
Labour backs Connolly in presidential race
The Labour Party has formally agreed to back Catherine Connolly's campaign to become the next president of Ireland, saying that while it has had "differences" with the Independent TD it believes she is "the left" candidate. Labour's executive board, which consists of representatives of different sections of the party and its parliamentary party of TDs, senators and MEP Aodhan O Riordain, made the decision after a two-and-a-half-hour meeting this evening. The meeting came after grassroots Labour members were asked for their views on whether to support the campaign of Catherine Connolly, who left the Labour Party in 2007 after a decision was made for her not to be then TD Michael D Higgins's general election running mate in Galway West. Catherine Connolly has since said in 2016 that Labour has "lost its soul", a comment which while almost a decade ago has previously led to some friction between her and her former party. However, Labour said that they would support her campaign after party members voted in a "clear majority". The executive board and parliamentary party voted in favour of doing backing Ms Connolly in a vote which is understood to have been significant but not universal. In a statement, which did not include a quote from party leader Ivana Bacik, Labour's TD for Dublin South-West Ciarán Ahern, who will now be the party's co-ordinator with the Catherine Connolly campaign, said: "At this evening's meeting it was agreed that the Party should support Catherine Connolly as the Left candidate for the presidency. "We are doing so in the spirit of supporting the development and growth of the Left across the country and demonstrating that an alternative politics is possible here, a cause which our party leader Ivana Bacik has led and promoted over recent years. "While there are issues where we have differed with Deputy Connolly, we are determined that the social democratic values of equality, justice and tolerance should shape the presidency over the next seven years and follow the legacy of Michael D Higgins. "We believe that Catherine Connolly shares those values, and has put them into practice during her political career. "Catherine will make an excellent president, campaigning and advocating for the common good." Catherine Connolly's campaign has already received the backing of the Social Democrats, People Before Profit-Solidarity and a number of Independent politicians. However, while she was already highly likely to reach the quota of 20 TDs and senators needed to become a formal presidential candidate - the other route option being the support of four local authorities - Labour's support has underlined her credentials as the combined left candidate at this stage of the race. So far, the only other formal candidate is Fine Gael's former EU commissioner Mairead McGuinness, who has been nominated by her party but will not be officially confirmed until early September at a planned Fine Gael event. Rumours and speculation continue in relation to a number of other potential but at this stage unofficial candidates, in addition to ongoing questions over whether Sinn Fáin and Fianna Fáil will run their own candidates, support a different candidate, or remain out of the race. The presidential election must take place within 60 days or less of the end of President Michael D Higgins's second term, which will end on 11 November. This means the earliest the election can theoretically take place is 11 September, with an October date generally believed to be most likely.
