Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2025
370. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his views on the merits of providing grants for public facing businesses, including restaurants & cafés, to provide baby changing facilities in both men’s and women’s bathrooms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32663/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment provides exchequer funding to Fáilte Ireland which is used to support tourism product development such as developing and upgrading visitor experiences. There are no schemes which provide grants for baby changing facilities in tourism businesses.
However, Fáilte Ireland does consider the inclusion of accessible facilities when it is investing in tourism product development. An example of this is its Water Sports Facilities Centres, which are currently at various stages of construction, development or planning at 19 sites around the country. These best in class facilities will help extend the outdoor tourism season by providing year-round hot showers, changing rooms, toilets, secure storage, induction spaces, and equipment washdown areas. Accessibility and sustainability is a key focus point for the project, ensuring full wheelchair access and the installation of solar heating panels. Each site also features a Changing Places facility, which includes a baby changing facility along with an accessible toilet.
