(Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for the Environment if he will provide special parking discs for motor vehicles used by disabled persons to enable them to park in areas where parking is prohibited.

Provisions for the regulation and control of parking are set out in by-laws made by the Garda Commissioner under the Road Traffic Acts. While I am conscious of the difficulties which disabled drivers face in parking their cars, there is the problem that exemption from parking prohibitions and restrictions could be a source of danger to the disabled drivers themselves and their vehicles, and to other road-users and could lead to traffic hold-ups. I may add that disabled drivers are exempt, on written application to Dublin Corporation, from the payment of parking meter fees and that a similar concession applies in Cork city from the payment of disc parking fees there.

Has the Minister any plan regarding the provision of special car parking facilities for disabled persons at public buildings and such places?

This is a matter for the local authorities. I understand that Dublin Corporation are considering such questions as the provision of car parking and other facilities for disabled drivers. Any proposal that may come from a local authority will receive favourable consideration in my Department.

Like myself, the Minister is a rural Deputy and I am sure he will appreciate the need for the provision of such facilities throughout the country as well as in Dublin. Would the Minister consider whether all local authorities might adopt such measures?

I am very happy Dublin Corporation are taking the initiative with regard to problems of the disabled. Any local authority who have some proposals in connection with this matter can be assured that I will be only too happy to have a look at them. I shall adopt their suggestions if they are for the good of the disabled.

I appreciate that. However, I think the Minister and his Department could take the initiative with each local authority.

The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.

With the permission of the Chair, I should like to raise on the Adjournment the unemployment situation at Birr, County Offaly.

I shall communicate with the Deputy.