A decision by Dublin City Council to remove the only public toilet facility in the city centre has been branded “short-sighted” by local representatives, who argue it fails to meet the city’s basic needs. The toilet, a cabin-like structure located near St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre, was set up in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 lockdown as a temporary measure to fill the gap left by the closure of retail and hospitality businesses.
While a similar facility was also established at Wolfe Tone Square, it was shut down in 2022 due to complaints about anti-social behavior. The St. Stephen’s Green facility initially accommodated about 20,000 people per week in 2021, but that number has since plummeted to roughly 1,500.
The Dublin City Council (DCC) has cited a significant drop in usage, the cost of maintaining the facility (around €400,000 annually), and the cessation of the security provider’s operations as key reasons for the closure. Additionally, the council claims that potential service providers have warned against installing automated toilets in the city centre due to concerns over anti-social behavior.
However, Green Party councillor Claire Byrne strongly disagrees with this justification. She called the decision “short-sighted” and criticized the council for failing to plan effectively. “Dublin just keeps relying on temporary, half-hearted solutions. Nothing ever gets done properly. This is just another example of that,” she said.
Byrne also questioned the council’s reasoning around the high operational costs. “We’ve known the costs for a long time,” she said, adding that the operator’s exit could be an opportunity to find a more cost-effective provider, rather than shutting down the facility.
In her view, even with the reduced usage of 1,500 people a week, the need for a public toilet is still clearly demonstrated. “That’s still 1,500 people who need access,” she stated.
Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon echoed these concerns, arguing that the council should be adding more public toilets, not removing them. “We’ve seen this same story over and over—lack of planning, reluctance to invest in practical public services, and a government that doesn’t understand how cities work,” he said.
He added, “This isn’t just about one toilet on Grafton Street. It’s about how we design our public spaces. People deserve clean, accessible toilets in parks, transport hubs, and city centres. That’s not too much to ask.”
The matter will be discussed further on Monday during a meeting of the Dublin South East Area Committee.