Varadkar plans overhaul of disabled parking scheme

FRAUDULENT USE of disabled parking spaces will be targeted by Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar, who announced the “no longer fit for purpose” permit scheme would be overhauled within months.

Changes will include altering the medical eligibility criteria required for a disabled person’s parking permit as well as new powers for local authorities to introduce time-restricted parking bays. New bays which can be used only to set down and pick up passengers will also be brought in under the revamped scheme.

Mr Varadkar has signed the necessary regulations to bring in the changes on June 1st.

He said new measures would be introduced to ensure permits were issued only to those with mobility issues and to prevent the use of disabled parking spaces by able-bodied people.

“It will reduce the fraudulent use of permits, give new powers to local authorities and, most importantly, make sure that more specific disabled parking bays are available to those who need them most,” Mr Varadkar said.

He also promised an increase in the size of some parking bays as well as the introduction of new types of disabled parking bays.

“This is the most significant and positive shake-up of the disabled parking scheme since it began 12 years ago.

“The new changes will introduce tangible, practical improvements in the way the scheme operates,” he added.

Last July, the then minister for transport Noel Dempsey said he had approved recommendations for the amendment of the scheme, which he said would be implemented by the end of 2010.

Disability advocates have complained of incidents where people took advantage of the parking permits system due to the increase of instances of paid on-street parking. Mr Varadkar said the overhaul of the existing scheme followed a review which was carried out in association with the Irish Wheelchair Association and the Disabled Drivers’ Association.

The review also consulted other disability interests and local authorities, together with consultants in the cardiac and respiratory fields, while the Garda National Traffic Bureau provided information on enforcement issues.

“I want to thank all of those who have contributed to this major overhaul of a scheme that was no longer fit for purpose,” he said.

“The recommendations of all those who contributed to the review have helped to form this new law.

“I look forward to the new scheme making a real difference to parking for people with disabilities in towns and cities throughout Ireland,” added Mr Varadkar.