Written answers

Thursday, 12 January 2012

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Disabled Drivers

5:00 pm

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 248: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce mechanisms to reduce the abuse of disabled driver parking spaces by non-disabled drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1659/12]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Disabled parking spaces are provided for the use of people who have a legitimate need and have qualified for a disabled parking permit. Unfortunately there are abuses, in particular people parking in disabled spaces without a permit, people using permits issued to someone else, and people using forged permits. All of these abuses are particularly deplorable because they deprive those who genuinely need them of access to appropriate parking spaces.

In 2010, my Department published a study of the workings of the Disabled Parking Scheme. The study noted a number of measures taken already to enforce the Scheme, including the fact that the penalty for illegal parking in a disabled parking space is double that for any other parking offence, and that Gardaí and traffic wardens have been given powers to inspect permits and consfiscate permits which are false or being used illegally.

Since the study was published, my Department has agreed terms and conditions for the Scheme with the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI) and the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA), the two bodies charged with oversight of the Scheme. These provide a number of grounds on which permits may be withdrawn if they are abused. The DDAI and IWA have improved the permit in order to make forgery more difficult. In addition, I have revised the legislation governing the Scheme to ensure that permits go to those truly in need. On-street-enforcement of the Scheme is a matter for An Garda Síochána and for traffic wardens.

At present, I am satisfied that the existing laws and enforcement powers are sufficient. However, my Department remains in ongoing contact with the DDAI and IWA, and I remain open to considering any improvements to the Scheme which may be needed in future.

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