Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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670. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the precise criteria applying to applications under the disabled parking permit scheme; and the options open to a person to appeal a decision to refuse a permit. [32833/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Disabled Parking Permit is available to people, as drivers and passengers, living in Ireland with a permanent disability, medical condition, severe mobility difficulties and to people who are registered blind.

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), who are empowered to issue disabled parking permits.  Details of the criteria and application process are available on the respective websites www.iwa.ie and www.ddai.ie. As Minister, I have responsibility for the regulations under which the scheme operates.

A first stage appeals process is operated by the authorised bodies whereby those refused the granting or renewal of a Disabled Parking Permit are offered the opportunity of having all the documentation regarding their case reviewed independently by an Occupational Therapist or Medical Practitioner nominated by the authorised body, and an adjudication made on whether in the opinion of the reviewer and having regard to the terms of the scheme the authorised body was correct in reaching the decision taken. Such an independent review costs €35 and is payable directly to the Medical Practitioner/Occupational Therapist concerned.  Should the reviewer consider that the authorised body erred in refusing to grant or renew the permit, the authorised body will issue the permit sought. Any extra expenses which may occur by the applicant in relation to this review will be borne by the applicant. If the review results in recommending the issue of a permit to the applicant, the issuing authority will reimburse the applicant for all fees in relation to the review process.