People using disabled parking badges are in fear of physical and verbal abuse

People entitled to use designated disabled parking spaces are afraid they’ll be physically or verbally abused.

That’s according to Cllr Carmel Kelly, who along with Cllr Peggy O’Dwyer, called for the setting up of a text alert system to notify that someone with  a badge is taking up a space anywhere in County Kildare.

Cllr Kelly said this is being done in three other areas within Ireland.

The councillors argued that a text alert scheme in necessary to “combat the misuse of accessible parking bays.”

According to Kildare County Council parking bye-laws are in operation in 12 towns.

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A maximum stay period operates for all parking bays covered by the bye-laws including disabled parking bays.

Traffic wardens employed by pay parking contractor Apcoa monitor compliance with the bye-laws to ensure that the bays are not occupied for longer than permitted and that disabled person permits are on display where appropriate.

KCC official Celina Barrett said that its wardens ensure compliance with parking regulations. 

However she said a text alert scheme would need “careful consideration and assessment to determine the potential costs and benefits” - because  there is already a contractor in place carrying out enforcement on a daily basis where bye-laws apply.

There is a “separate regime” in place outside of these towns. 

In 2023, 204 fines were issued for illegal parking in respect of disabled person parking bays. Ms Barrett added that If there are specific locations where there are problems, monitoring can be increased.

It was also pointed out that changes including  public realm works, construction of cycle lanes have impacted on the operation of such parking spaces.

The council also said accessible parking bays, age friendly parking bays and similar measures will be considered when parking bye-law reviews are reviewed.