'Disappointing' disability access at Portlaoise swimming pool

A former employee of Portlaoise Leisure Centre, now a Laois County Councillor, has criticised its standard of disability access.

Cllr Marie Tuohy claims that a disability care company has to bring clients to another county to let them get a swim.

She tabled a motion to the June meeting of Laois County Council, asking the council "to ensure that the disability suite at Laois Leisure Portlaoise is fully equipped and fully functioning for use by all with a disability".

The reply came from Ann Marie Maher, Sport and Leisure Officer.

She said that firstly the operation of the centre is a matter for Laois Leisure CLG, which is an associated company of Laois County Council's set up to run both Portlaoise and Portarlington public leisure centres.

Ms Maher went on to say that the council got a grant from the Department to invest in improvements to disability access in Portlaoise, such as automatic doors, accessible toilets, a new hoist for the pool, and an upgrade to the disability changing room.

"The centre's ability to provide for the more profound physical disabilities is restricted by the original building design and purpose. Specialist advice has been received as to how to further improve the disability changing room. Further works to provide a disability suite will be dependent on allocating / transferring funding from existing grants or securing additional funding," the sports officer said.

Cllr Tuohy said she was very disappointed at the answer.

"It was 12 months open before they even had a new hoist on the pool. I don't accept there is no space. What they need is a flat bed and a portable hoise. I don't think it would be that expensive.

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"You're excluding a whole section of people. I got a call from Muiriosa Foundation, they are bringing their clients to Birr, for want of a comfortable hoist and a comfortable flat bed," she said.

Cllr Wilie Aird seconded her motion.

"It's mind boggling and frustrating. They should be open long enough. This problem should have been solved long ago. I ask Donal Brennan (Director of Services) to say what needs to be done in September. He has the responsibility," he said.