Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

581. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider a change to the eligibility criteria for a disabled parking permit in certain cases (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52739/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under the criteria laid out in the Road Traffic (Traffic And Parking) Regulations, 1997, as amended, Disabled Parking Permits are available to an individual with permanent conditions or disabilities that severely restrict their ability to walk.  Eligibility is thus defined on the basis of mobility impairment rather than on the basis of a specific medical condition.

While my Department keeps the eligibility criteria under review, there are no plans to change them at this time. I would also particularly emphasise to the Deputy that issuing a large number of extra permits by extending the eligibility criteria would in fact put the existing scheme under significant additional pressure and compromise the availability of disabled parking spaces in general.