Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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77. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address concerns in relation to disabled parking spaces that are routinely being taken by non-disabled drivers; if he is satisfied that there is sufficient enforcement of the regulations regarding this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28317/22]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Disabled parking bays on public roads and in local authority car parks are a limited resource that must be managed in such a way as to ensure that they are available for those for whom they are essential.  Anyone parking in one of these specially designated spaces without holding a valid permit is taking a space away from someone who genuinely needs it and depriving that person of access to essential services.

Motorists who park illegally in a designated disabled bay currently face a fixed charge penalty of €150, rising to €225 if not paid within 28 days.  By way of context, I would like to point out that most other parking offences incur either a €40 or an €80 fine. A decision was taken in 2018 to substantially increase the penalty for parking in a disabled space so as to reflect the gravity and anti-social nature of the offence. This penalty incurred is now the highest of all fixed charge driving and parking offences. 

My Department's role in the disabled parking scheme is limited to the drafting of the relevant legislation and the setting of appropriate penalties. I would suggest therefore that the Deputy raise any concerns about enforcement with the relevant bodies, namely An Garda Síochána and local authority traffic and parking sections.