Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for being here to take this issue. As chair of the all-party group on dementia, I have been working closely with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland on a number of projects that impact the lives of people with dementia and their families.One area that we have been co-operating on is the potential for the roll-out of the blue badge scheme, which is the European pass for those who have severe mobility issues or who are blind to be able to access what we call the wheelchair parking spots, being rolled out to people with dementia and their families. As we know, this is a national arrangement of parking concessions for disabled and blind people. It is designed to give them the ability to park close to the facilities and the services they need.

Under the scheme, the disabled parking cards, the blue badges, are issued by the Irish Wheelchair Association and the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland on behalf of the Department of Transport. It is an important badge. People who are primary medical certificate holders or registered blind are automatically eligible to avail of it. People who are neither holders of the private medical certificate or registered blind are required to have their form completed by a certified medical practitioner. We know that the medical criteria for use of the permit are strict. I agree with that and think it is important that they are strict.

I am going to make a case for another group of people. Before I make that case, I want to mention that I was at a meeting last night organised by the Fianna Fáil disability group with the Irish Wheelchair Association. Several people present spoke about an unfortunate, sad fact that makes me really angry, which is that able-bodied people are using wheelchair spots to park. It is just shocking. I know awareness schemes are rolled out every so often, such as Make Way Day. Obviously there are fines but I think we need to do more. Shame on anybody who uses a wheelchair parking space when it is not designated for them.

Regarding those who have dementia or Alzheimer's disease, minimal walking distance and familiarity are key factors in enabling people with Alzheimer's disease to access a facility or service safely and with ease and comfort. As such, the main benefit would be to the individual, with improved access to key services as well as to leisure and social activities, which are essential in stimulating the mind and slowing down the progression of the disease. It would also help to alleviate the pressure on carers and family members.

The UK did research on this to evaluate eligibility for parking concessions for five main groups of people, including people with dementia. It introduced this in 2018. It has been really successful. Every day in my office and in my role as Chair of the committee, I deal with people who are living in incredibly challenging and difficult situations, whether they are living with dementia or caring for and supporting their loved ones to remain living as independently as possible in their own home. It is stressful and upsetting. Sometimes, the small things can make a huge difference. In many cases, we are dealing with elderly and vulnerable people. It is important to make their lives less full of hassle and stress.

I met the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, about this before. Does the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, have an update?