Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 341: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will review the legislation and penalties for persons who use parking spaces designated for disabled drivers without the appropriate sticker; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22938/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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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.

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.