Use of disabled parking spaces raised at LCSP

The issue of motorists using disabled parking spaces without the required permit was raised at a recent meeting of Cavan’s Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP).

“It seems to be a problem across the county,” said Fine Gael’s TP O’Reilly at the meeting, held in the Hotel Kilmore, Cavan Town, earlier this month.

Cavan Garda Superintendent Gavin O’Reilly told partnership members that a significant number of Fixed Charge Penalty Notices had been issued over the past 12 months to motorists illegally parking in disabled spaces.

He acknowledged, however, that there may be exceptions involving people with physical challenges who do not have a permit.

A Disabled Person’s Parking Card, also known as an EU Parking Permit, is issued by two designated organisations on behalf of the Department of Transport: the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) and the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI).

Director of Services Brendan Jennings clarified that the permit is assigned to an individual rather than a vehicle.

It was noted at the meeting that towns already operate a 20-minute grace period for parking. However, concern was raised that disabled parking spaces in town centres, particularly those close to pharmacies, post offices, banks, doctors’ surgeries and other essential services, are frequently occupied.

Mr Jennings also said that Cavan’s parking bye-laws are being reviewed. He was asked whether provision could be made for “age-friendly” parking spaces, but it was pointed out that the term “age-friendly” is not defined in legislation.

Agnes McManus Dulake, Interim Operational Lead for the HSE’s Integrated Care Team for Older People (ICTOP) in Cavan-Monaghan, suggested that people should show sufficient “respect” not to use disabled parking spaces unless they held the appropriate permit.

Fine Gael’s Carmel Brady remarked that, while society was preoccupied with achieving “10,000 steps” a day, some people would “drive through the supermarket if they got a chance” to avoid having to walk further from their car.

Supt O’Reilly reiterated that anyone parking in a designated disabled parking space must hold a valid permit and display it. “If you don’t have it, you don’t have it,” he said.