Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 16 September 2016
1780. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the supports that exist for drivers and passengers who have a disability and who do not own a car that is tax exempt under the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme. [25235/16]
View answerThe Disabled Parking Permit (also known as European Parking Card or Disabled Parking Badge) is available to people living in Ireland with a permanent disability, medical condition, severe mobility difficulties and to people who are registered blind. The permit is available to people as drivers or passengers. The primary legislation for the purposes of the EU parking permit defines a disabled person as a person with a permanent condition or disability that severely restricts their ability to walk.
The parking permit enables the driver or passenger to avail of an accessible parking bay on public streets and public car parks. Designated accessible parking bays are also identified in many private car parks and supermarkets. The parking permit can be iused by a disabled person in any vehicle in which he or she is traveling. This means that a disabled person who is being driven at different times by different people can bring the parking card with himself or herself and display it in the appropriate vehicle.
The provision for the disabled parking permit scheme is set down in Section 35 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 and SI 182/1997 Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997. The Permit is designed in accordance with EU legislation and is recognised in all EU states. The Permit is valid for two years from the date of issue. The scheme is administered for my Department by the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (www.ddai.ie) and the Irish Wheelchair Association (www.iwa.ie), and further information is available on their websites.
