Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2019
893. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider introducing new or additional signage for disabled parking bays (details supplied); and if he is considering other measures or awareness campaigns to educate the general public on differing holders of blue badges. [44659/19]
View answerBoth my Department and the two bodies charged with issuing the Disabled Parking Permit, the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI) and the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA), are very aware of the misunderstandings that can arise in public perceptions of physical disability and the challenges that this can pose for drivers with invisible mobility impairments. It was never the intention of the Disabled Parking scheme that permits and designated bays be restricted to wheelchair users. The choice of the wheelchair symbol, however, is based on the fact that it is internationally recognisable and not tied to a particular language or culture, a universality that allows the holder of a permit to use it all over the world. The Irish permit is designed to a common European standard and any change to the Irish legislation on the matter would require a change at European level first.
