Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 June 2013
231. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider extending the disabled parking places for the benefit of those reliant on them in circumstances where mothers with disabled children have difficulty in getting rollators and associated equipment open in such confined spaces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28415/13]
View answerIn 2010 my Department conducted a review of the disabled parking scheme. Among other recommendations, the review argued for an increase in the dimensions of disabled parking bays. These were already larger than standard parking bays, due to the need to take account of the difficulties which people with disabilities might have in entering and exiting vehicles, in particular where wheelchairs or other mobility aids might have to be disembarked.
I introduced some of the recommendations of the 2010 review shortly after entering office in 2011. The recommendations on change in dimensions of parking bays, however, were part of a more comprehensive revision of traffic signs regulations, which took longer to complete. The changes to disabled parking bays can be found in Regulation 29(b) of the Road Traffic (Signs) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 331 of 2012).
I remain open to reconsidering the dimensions of these bays in future should that prove necessary.
