Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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135. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans and actions taken to date to enhance availability of and to ensure priority to disabled parking, parking for the elderly and those with reduced mobility as well as the provision of drop off locations in the Phoenix Park as referenced and suggested in the Phoenix Park Transport and Mobility Options Study Post-Consultation Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49202/21]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Designated parking spaces for people with disabilities or those with reduced mobility are available in all car parks at the Phoenix Park, including eleven at the Ashtown Visitor Centre car park, five at the Lords Walk car park near Dublin Zoo and eight in the car park at Farmleigh Estate. All of these car parks are linked to the footpath network in the Park providing access to an extensive network of surfaced routes for those using wheelchairs, buggies or other mobility aids.

The Office of Public Works is actively upgrading roads and car parks as part of routine care and maintenance in the Park. Improving accessibility is a key element of these ongoing, incremental works. In 2020 OPW marked and lined six car parks in the Phoenix Park and included provision for additional parking spaces specifically for people with disabilities. The recent works on the North Road also provided for dropped kerbs at key junctions to ensure greater accessibility for those in wheelchairs and those with limited mobility.

The Phoenix Park Transport and Mobility Options Study Post-Consultation Report, which was published in July 2021, recommends that a Parking Strategy be developed by OPW and this Office is committed to examining the best way to meet the parking needs of all users of the Park but in particular the elderly, disabled or reduced mobility users. In developing this strategy, the OPW will examine the possibility of providing additional drop-off points at suitable locations in the Park. Currently there is only one designated drop-off point which is situated at Dublin Zoo and the OPW recognises that more designated locations are required to meet the needs of certain Park visitors.

Any further upgrading of infrastructure in the Phoenix Park will be subject to the availability of funding and personnel capacity to deliver the projects.

Attached is the location of car parks with parking for people with disabilities.