Disbelief and 'disgust' at Laois Leisure reply to council

Laois County Councillors expressed disbelief and disgust at a response from Laois Leisure to a request for autistic children. 

Councillors Catherine Fitzgerald, Caroline Dwane Stanley, Marie Tuohy, Thomasina Connell, John Joe Fennelly, Barry Walsh and Willie Aird had jointly asked  "That Laois County Council request Laois Leisure to provide one hour per week in the swimming pool to LOFFA (Laois Offaly Families for Autism)."

“At present, pool timetabling for both Laois Leisure facilities is in very high demand and both facilities are very well utilised by a broad range of members and pay per visit users for public swimming, swimming lessons, birthday parties, Rookie Lifesaving and a variety of groups including Laois Water Safety, Piranha's Swim Club, Laois Marlin's Swim Club, Vision Sports Ireland, LOFFA and numerous Schools per week.  

Laois Leisure have engaged with LOFFA with regard to a request for a regular weekend slot in our Portlaoise facility but are currently unable to create a suitable option to meet that booking request.  When a suitable option can be made available, Laois Leisure would be delighted to facilitate a weekly booking option for LOFFA,” Laois Leisure responded to the request.

Fianna Fail Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald said she couldn’t believe the answer from  Laois Leisure. 

“Our special children are part of our community,” she said.

“I am disgusted with the reply, absolutely disgusted,” said Cllr Fitzgerald. 

“They are special and wonderful children who we should be facilitating,” she remarked. 

She said they were only looking for one hour per week. 

Fine Gael Cllr Willie Aird wanted to know who had approved the response. He said the request should have gone before the board of the Laois Leisure.

Fine Gael Cllr Barry Walsh said he couldn’t believe it either. 

“I just thought it would be a formality that it would be approved,” he said. 

Sinn Fein Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said she would like some clarification on whether the board has seen the request. 

“This is a crazy decision,” she said. 

Cllr Dwane Stanley said people with children with special needs have to fight for everything. 

“It is a small ask,” she said. 

Fianna Fail Cllr John Joe Fennelly said he too thought it would have been a formality. He said had he been sitting on the board a response like this wouldn’t have been permitted. 

The councillors were informed that the matter had not been brought before a meeting of the board of Laois Leisure. 

“Our request was to be sent to the board,” said Cllr Aird. 

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Fianna Fail Cllr and Laois  County Council Cathaoirleach Paschal McEvoy said the request should be made again and marked for the attention of the board. 

Cllr Fitzgerald said she was really disappointed and the response was neither fair or right.