Vol. 543 No. 2
543 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if the agencies charged with responsibility for the management and issue of disabled parking permits have not received funding from his Department since 1998 (details supplied); if it is proposed to issue funding to these organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26780/01]
The Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations, 1997, which came into force on 1 October 1997 introduced a number of significant changes in relation to the application of parking laws to disabled persons and provided for a new type of disabled persons parking permit which can be issued by local authorities, the Irish Wheelchair Association and the Disabled Drivers' Association. In 1998 my Department agreed to make payments of £5,000 to the associations to assist with the costs of issuing the new permits. Requests for additional funding for this service have been made by the associations. While my Department does not have funds at its direct disposal for this purpose, the matter will continue to be explored.
