Council to explore appointment of Access and Inclusion Officer

Cavan County Council has expressed openness to exploring potential funding avenues that could enable the appointment of a dedicated, full-time Access and Inclusion Officer on a more permanent basis.

During the April monthly meeting, several councillors tabled motions to address accessibility issues across the county. Fianna Fáil's Áine Smith called for an Accessibility Assessment of buildings to better serve persons with disabilities. She emphasised that many structures in Cavan remain inaccessible to individuals with additional needs and stressed that accessibility should not be viewed as a “burden,” but as a fundamental “right” that society must uphold.

As an example, she pointed to the former Ulster Bank building in Ballyconnell, now PTSB, which has steps at its entrance, and the ATM, which is positioned high from the ground, making access difficult for some users.

Fine Gael's T.P. O’Reilly and Independent Brendan Fay both urged the council to identify funding sources for the appointment of a dedicated, fully resourced Access and Inclusion Officer.

Cllr O’Reilly urged the council to act soon, while Cllr Fay highlighted the importance of setting an example by prioritising equal access, inclusion, and participation for all community members.

“This is about making Cavan more accessible for everyone - not just people with disabilities, but also older people, families, and visitors,” Cllr Fay said.

He reminded the council they have obligations under national policy to promote accessibility and inclusion. “Other councils are making progress in this area - this ensures we’re not falling behind.”

Cathaoirleach John Paul Feeley concurred, suggesting that the council should broaden its focus beyond just the accessibility of buildings to encompass a wider range of inclusion issues. He highlighted concerns such as men’s access to changing facilities for children, which in some cases are still located within women’s bathrooms.

Winston Bennett (FG) also supported the earlier motion.

In response, Nicolas O'Kane, Head of Planning, standing in for Director of Service Brendan Jennings, acknowledged the council’s ongoing work with the county’s disability network and expressed willingness to explore opportunities to lead on Access and Inclusion issues. He further noted that while some older properties have exemptions regarding accessibility requirements, newer buildings are subject to stricter regulations.

Published with support from the Local Democracy Scheme.