Dublin City Council has announced the closure of the city centre's sole public toilet, located on Grafton Street. The decision, attributed to declining usage and high operational costs (nearly €400,000 annually), follows the decommissioning of another facility in 2022 due to antisocial behaviour.
The council cited a significant drop in usage, down to 1,500 users weekly from a 2021 peak. The current operator is ceasing trading, adding to the rationale for closure. The initial installation was considered a temporary measure.
While this specific location is closing, the council remains committed to providing public toilets. They've explored proposals for automated units but faced concerns about antisocial activity. Discussions are underway with two providers for permanent city centre solutions. The council is assessing two potential sites (Grafton Street and Prince's Street) while exploring alternative service models.
The situation highlights a decline in public toilet provision in Dublin. The city once boasted over 60 staffed facilities, but these were reduced to nine by the 1990s before eventually closing due to vandalism and drug abuse.