80 parking places in city for disabled

Dublin has almost 4,500 disabled drivers but has reserved just 80 parking places to facilitate them, it has emerged.

The 80 parking places include 15 locations or streets where there are two parking spaces reserved for the disabled, and just two streets where there are three parking spaces reserved.

The two locations are at Jervis Street in the north inner city and at Fishamble Street, outside Dublin Corporation's headquarters.

However, the corporation yesterday defended its position, claiming it would be "very unusual" for the authority to refuse to create a disabled-only parking space for any disabled person who requested one. A spokeswoman for the corporation said that in addition disabled drivers might park at any parking place and remain there for the whole day.

But the arrangements were described by Mr Tony Maher, national transport officer of the Irish Wheelchair Association, as "far from satisfactory".

"Ordinary spaces are very often no good for disabled drivers as pavements aren't dished and kerbs can present an obstacle," he said.

Mr Maher said that where cars faced the kerb, access to driver's door could often be restricted by the position of a neighbouring car.

Applications for the creation of a parking space for a disabled person should be made to the Office of the Director of Traffic, Dublin Corporation, Civic Offices, Fishamble Street, Dublin 2.