Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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174. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the regulations enforcing and protecting disability parking spaces on public roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36972/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, I am happy to set out the regulations underpinning the use of disabled parking bays on public roads.

Regulation 44 of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 (SI 182/1997), as amended, sets out the statutory requirement to display a valid disabled parking permit in order to be allowed park in a designated disabled bay. A driver who parks in such a bay without a permit risks incurring a penalty of €150.

Under the Road Traffic (Parking in Disabled Person’s Parking Bay) Regulations 2022 (SI 427/2022), it is also an offence for anyone who is not themselves the holder of a disabled parking permit to attempt to use a permit for their own convenience, rather than for the direct benefit of the person to whom the permit was issued. The penalty for this offence is currently set at €200, which is among the highest of all fixed charges for traffic and parking offences.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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175. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the regulations enforcing and protecting disability parking spaces on privately owned roads or in private car parks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36973/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise the Deputy that disabled parking regulations can only be enforced on public roads and car parks. The installation and enforcement of disabled bays on private roads and car parks, such as those attached to shopping centres and other commercial premises, is the responsibility of the individual owner.