Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The disabled parking permit is available to people living in Ireland whose mobility is severely restricted, whether they are drivers or passengers.

In 2010 the Department conducted a review of the scheme, in consultation with numerous stakeholders. One of the issues examined in this review was eligibility. In particular, disability groups were unhappy that a large number of permits were being issued for specific medical conditions, rather than mobility impairment. As a result of this review, permits are now given on the basis of mobility impairment alone, rather than the diagnosis of a particular condition or illness. This is in line with the original intention of the scheme.

My Department appreciates that everyday life with a condition such as Crohn's disease can be challenging. I must emphasise to the Deputy, however, that issuing a large number of extra permits would put the scheme under significant additional pressure and, crucially, compromise the availability of disabled parking spaces for those who need them the most.

The Deputy may wish to note that my Department is currently undertaking a new review of the Disabled Parking Scheme, with a particular focus on eligibility and need.