asked the Minister for Local Government the number of disabled drivers in Dublin city and county at the latest date for which figures are available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disabled Drivers.
168.
Information in the form requested by the Deputy is not readily available. There are 125 disabled persons in Dublin city and county who are exempted under section 43 (1) of the Finance Act, 1968, from payment of excise duty on vehicles specially constructed or adapted for use by them as drivers.
169.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will advise local authorities of the necessity for the exercise of discretion in favour of disabled drivers in regard to the parking of their cars in areas in which parking generally is prohibited or restricted.
Like the Deputy and myself, the traffic enforcement authorities appreciate the parking problems of disabled drivers where parking restrictions apply and would wish to facilitate them without, at the same time, vitiating the traffic and safety purposes for which the restrictions are imposed. They do not need my advice in this regard. As the Deputy is no doubt aware, disabled drivers have been exempted from payment of fees at meter parking places in the Dublin area and in line with the thinking on which that provision is based, I would be pleased to consider any proposal which the authorities concerned might find practicable to extend the facilities which are afforded to disabled drivers.
Is the Minister aware that free parking as such is not that important. It is appreciated by disabled drivers, but some of them have difficulty if they have to cross the street on crutches on a wet day. There is one particular case of which I am aware. I am glad to hear the Minister's reply. Would he agree that traffic wardens should be encouraged to adopt a more humane approach towards disabled drivers?
That would be a separate question.
I do not agree with the Deputy that traffic wardens do not adopt a humane approach towards disabled drivers.