Dublin City Council has abandoned plans to charge disabled people for car-parking after it emerged that it would cost €7.5 million to replace the existing pay-and-display machines with ones suitable for use by people with disabilities.
The decision follows strong opposition by disabilities groups to the proposed change, which the council hoped would stop able-bodied people abusing the disabled parking permits system.
The change was proposed by the council's former director of traffic Owen Keegan who said families of disabled people were misusing the free permits.
He said that in several cases families did not surrender the permits in the event of a disabled person's death, but continued to use it on their own vehicles.
It had also emerged that permits were being stolen for use by able-bodied drivers, and clampers had reported commercial vehicles such as builders' and roofers' vans displaying disabled permits.
The council put its proposals for change out to public consultation last December and received negative submissions from several disabilities groups who said any charges would significantly add to the cost of living of the disabled.
Groups also told the council that existing pay-and-display machines were not accessible to wheelchair users. The council estimated the cost of replacing the machines would be in the region of €7.5 million.
"The cost associated with replacement of pay-and-display machines is significant and it is not apparent that such costs can be justified," the council said.
The council's traffic department said it has told the clamping company, Dublin Street Parking Services, that targeting vehicles illegally parked in disabled parking bays is a priority.
The department is recommending that no change be made to the permit system at present.
"It is recommended that enforcement of disabled parking bays continues to be prioritised," it said.
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