Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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205. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will carry out a review of the disabled parking permit; if he will consider introducing two types of bays, one for persons in a wheelchair, and a second for persons with mobility issues. [39794/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The disabled parking scheme is operated on behalf of my Department by the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI) and the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA), which are the two bodies empowered to issue disabled parking permits.  As Minister, I have responsibility for the regulations under which the scheme operates, including those which specify the dimensions of disabled parking spaces.

In 2010, my Department carried out a comprehensive review of the disabled parking scheme.  This review took account of the views of stakeholders, and led to a number of changes being made.  Among these changes was an expanding of the dimensions of disabled parking bays.

Disabled parking bays are designed to be larger than standard parking bays, in order to allow ease of access for people with mobility impairments, including wheelchair users.  I am not aware of any need at present for a further review of the dimensions of the parking bays, or for a wider review of the scheme as a whole.

However, should the key stakeholders, in particular the DDAI and/or the IWA, were to present a case for a further review of the scheme - or indeed specific aspects of it, such as the dimensions of parking bays - I would be willing to give consideration to such a case.