David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 337: To ask the Minister for Transport, further to Parliamentary Question No. 120 of 27 February 2008, if he has plans to increase fines or other enforcement measures for people who park illegally in places designated for disabled drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22701/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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As I indicated in my reply to Question 120 of 27 February 2008 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. I am satisfied with the level of fixed charge that applies to parking in a designated disabled persons parking bay and I have no plans to alter them.

The focus of the elements of the review of the disabled persons' parking scheme ongoing in my Department 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.

P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 338: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to increase the penalties for parking in designated disabled parking bays by non-permit holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22726/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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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. I am satisfied with the level of fixed charge that applies to parking in a designated disabled persons parking bay and I have no plans to alter them.