David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Transport the way he will address illegal parking in disabled car parking spaces through enforcement, increasing fines and public awareness as per his Department's Disability Act 2005 Sectoral Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8510/08]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Transport when he will review the eligibility criteria for the disabled driver and disabled passenger scheme and other vehicle adaptation schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8511/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 together.

A review of the disabled persons' parking scheme is ongoing in my Department with a view to ensuring that the designated parking bays are reserved for use by persons for whom those bays are a necessity.

Measures have been put in place through amendments made to the Road Traffic Acts from 2004 to 2007 to strengthen enforcement against illegal use of disabled persons parking permits. It is an offence to submit a false declaration in the application for a permit and in relation to forgery, alteration or other illegal use or lending of a permit.

On-street enforcement against illegal use of permits has been strengthened in that Gardaí and local authority traffic wardens have been given power to inspect permits and to detain any permit that is invalid or is being used in an illegal manner.

Under the fixed charge system that was introduced in April 2006 the fixed charge of €80 (increasing to €120 after 28 days) that applies to illegal parking in a designated disabled persons parking bay is double the amount of fixed charge that applies to any other illegal parking offence.

The focus of the elements of the review completed to date has been on enforcement to safeguard against illegal use of permits. The issue of eligibility is the next element to be addressed this year. The concession scheme in place for vehicle adaptation is a matter for the Minister for Finance and I have no role in that regard.