'Help needed for people who are financially struggling to recycle nappies'

The possibility of introducing a pilot scheme which could help people who are struggling financially to get rid of used nappies and incontinence pads was discussed, at length, at a recent meeting of the Glenties Municipal District.

Sinn Féin Councillor Marie Therese Gallagher said the cost of getting rid of used nappies was very expensive.

“Getting rid of a bag of nappies is costing three times more than it costs to buy the nappies. People can’t do without incontinence materials and families can’t do without nappies so we need to find a solution,” she said.

She said that officials should discuss the matter with district nurses who would be best placed to advise the council in relation to the matter as they visit the homes of those who have new babies soon after births and also visit the elderly and vulnerable, on a regular basis, she said.

“I think if you target that profession you will have a good way of dealing with it,” she said.

The Dungloe-based public representative said that while she wasn’t sure of the solution but was certain that if the matter was not addressed that ‘nappy dumping’ would become increasingly worse.

“If they don’t have the money to deal with the waste, people are going to dump it,” she said.

Two dumps of nappies and similar such materials were discovered in the Gaoth Dobhair area, last year.

Cllr Gallagher said that public shaming in these cases was not the answer as there were stories behind the dumpings - people who may have fallen on hard times and were failing to make ends meet, she said.

Cllr Gallagher said she had written to the department in efforts to highlight the matter. Both she and Independent Councillor Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig agreed that a waiver would be an appropriate manner to address this issue.

Donegal County Council Area Manager Michael McGarvey said he welcomed Cllr Gallagher writing to the department and addressing the matter. He said that perhaps the matter could be looked at on a local level and hoped something may be established to deal with the issue on a national level. He added he hoped a pilot scheme may be run in the district to help address the issue and perhaps discussions could be undertaken with nurses and hospitals.

Meanwhile, Cllr Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig said there needs to be more recycling facilities in the district adding that it is environmentally detrimental for people having to drive from Falcarragh to Dungloe to get rid of rubbish for recycling.