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Karol welcomes parking changes
15.04.11
AN INISHOWEN man has
welcomed changes to the Disabled Parking Permit
Scheme after a long dispute with the Government to
have system revamped.
Karol Doherty from Carndonagh believes the current
system is unfair to disabled people, and is happy
with the changes that come into effect on June 1.
“What was happening was people with an illness or
short term disability were continuing to take full
advantage of their disabled driver card even when
they were back to full health.
“It’s completely unacceptable and a complete abuse
of the card, so I’m glad the new measures will get
rid of this behaviour.”
Karol, who is a wheelchair user and athlete, has
been lobbying the Government and local
representatives for years to cut out the fraudulent
use of permits. He is delighted he has finally got
results. |
“I’ve been lobbying on
this for some time now, I’ve written umpteen letters
to the Department of Transport and the Wheelchair
Association of Ireland. I’m delighted now that all
my hard work has paid off.”
The Government has vowed to make sure more disabled
parking bays are available to those who need them
most, following a review by the Irish Wheelchair
association and the Disabled Drivers' Association. |
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Karol Doherty |
“It is important to
introduce more parking bays as well,” said Karol.
“Because often what has happening was there was more
cards issued than parking bays available.”
Karol believes a key element of the new procedures
that will help cut down on the false claims, is
passing on the authority of issuing permits from
local GPs.
“Often people can get them easier as they may be on
good terms with their GP, but now you have to be
independently accessed by the Wheelchair
Association. I think this is important, as it means
the people who really need them will get them.”
The Government also plans to give new powers to the
local council to introduce time-restricted parking
spaces and increase the size of the parking bays.
(Inishowen Independent) |
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