Beach wheelchairs

THE Council is hoping to partner up with local businesses to have beach wheelchairs provided next year.

Cllr Declan Bree tabled a motion on the issue which was supported by all members.

A number of councils including Donegal, Kerry and Wexford have introduced beach-friendly wheelchairs at popular beaches.

Regular wheelchairs get stuck in the sand but beach-friendly chairs are very easy to operate and to manoeuvre on sand.

“For many people with a disability the beach wheelchair provides the opportunity to enjoy what most people take for granted - a day at the beach and a dip in the sea,” said Cllr Bree.

“I am aware that funding will need to be identified or perhaps sponsorship could be sought for the provision of the chairs. I believe that Donegal’s beach-friendly wheelchairs have been sponsored by local businesses,” he added.

Director of Services Dorothy Clarke told members the two beach wheelchairs are the Hippocamp and De Bug and would cost approximately ¤3,000 each.

She said the main considerations for the suitability of a beach wheelchair are choice of beach, style of chair and the logistics of storing, staffing, managing them and insurance.

“It is vital to have appropriate partners, such as local businesses to store and manage the day to day service. Some local businesses have funded the beach wheelchairs for other local authorities,” she said. They can be considered in the 2018 budget if funding is found, she said.