Louth councillor calls for installation of free sunscreen dispensers

Cllr Declan Power has called on Louth County Council to install free sunscreen dispensers at all Blue Flag beaches in the county and in key public public buildings, as part of a wider public awareness campaign on skin cancer prevention.

Cllr Power received backing from members at the Louth County Council September meeting for his motion that also called on the Minister for Finance, Minister for Health, and Ireland's MEPs to "urgently examine the reduction or removal of VAT on sunscreen products with SPF 30 or higher, to make them more affordable and accessible to the public." 

Speaking at the September meeting on his motion, the Fianna Fáil councillor said that he believed that now was the right time to prepare for Summer 2026. Cllr Power said that changing the VAT rate may be "tricky" as it would have to go through the EU and possibly involve the reclassification of sunscreen products from cosmetic to medical.

In her response to Cllr Power's motion, Acting Director of Services, HR, Corporate and Community Delivery, Joanna Kelly, said that the proposal to advocate for the reduction of the VAT rate was a matter for the elected members.

Ms Kelly continued, saying that "Louth County Council does not provide sunscreen dispensers at its facilities at this time however it is aware that there is a pilot scheme in place with a small number of local authorities.

"We will await the findings from these pilot schemes including the costings for the provision of such dispensers and sunscreen."

A number of councillors voiced their support for Cllr Power's motion at the monthly meeting, including Cllr Kevin Callan who said he was happy to second the motion; Cllr Dolores Minogue, who added that she would like to see dispensers installed in Ardee; and Cllr Eric Donovan, who added that a family member had skin cancer.