DUBLIN City
Council is considering hiking up the price of its popular Passports for Leisure
cards from
?¬10 a year to
?¬10 a month, a 12-fold increase.
The initiative
is aimed at encouraging people over 55-years-of-age to lead more active lives
by offering discounts to health and leisure facilities throughout the city.
However, in a
report seen by Northside People, the scheme is only generating
?¬3.55 (out of
?¬10) in total per year for the council, which is
“not a realistic financial
return
?.
Last year, more
than 7,800 people subscribed to the Passports for Leisure scheme.
The report was
presented to the Arts, Culture, Leisure and Youth Affairs strategic policy
committee meeting recently.
It’s proposed
that restrictions to leisure facilities should be introduced this year while
fee increases to
?¬10 a month could be imposed from next year.
“From 2013 it
is proposed to revise the Passport for Leisure scheme and to introduce a
monthly fee of
?¬10 to Passport for Leisure cardholders,
? the report states.
According to
the report, the current hours of access to leisure facilities and services is
“unsatisfactory both from a management and a customer point of view
?.
It’s suggested
that the limit on hours of access be removed in conjunction with the
introduction of a new scheme of charges that will allow Passport for Leisure
cardholders access to certain facilities only.
Clontarf ward
councillor Damian O’Farrell (Ind), who has promoted the scheme in recent years,
said any fee increase would be heavily opposed and contrary to the aim of the
initiative.
“It was
introduced to aid older people in embracing ageing; it was never meant to be a
profit and revenue generating
‘passport’, he said.
“At the moment
‘passport’ holders, as well as being entitled to their range of discounts, are
also allowed restricted access to two top leisure centres, namely Ballymun and
Finglas.
“I believe most
‘passport’ holders are happy with the restricted hours and their
?¬10 annual
fee.
“These
proposals are totally unacceptable to me as a public representative.
?
Cllr O’Farrell
said this was a great scheme.
“It certainly
helps older people to try out what Dublin has to offer,
? he added.
“However, the
whole
’embrace ageing’ concept is being thrown out the window as the council
tries to turn the Passport for Leisure holders into cash cows.
?
A spokesperson
for Dublin City Council said no decisions have been made in relation to the
scheme.
“While this
offer is currently in review, no decision has been made yet,
? she stated.
“The Passport
for Leisure scheme was established under a Lord Mayor’s Special Initiative on
Older Persons 2007 for the over 55s to have discounted use of Dublin City
Council facilities. The scheme was extended to offer discounts on a range of
cultural, travel, health and recreational activities.
?
For more
information about the scheme log onto www.passportforleisure.ie