Legislation which came into effect yesterday will enable prosecution of people making fraudulent applications for disabled parking permits, with penalties being a fine of up to €2,500 and/or up to six months in prison.

An Garda Síochána and the permit issuing bodies, the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) and the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI), have reported rising numbers of fraudulent permit applications.

Fraudulent applications include those from individuals who supply false medical information, or attempt to renew a permit for a family member who has died.

The new legislation follows a previous change in 2023 to make it an offence to use a disabled parking permit other than for the benefit of the person to whom the permit was granted.

Transport minister Darragh O’Brien said: “Permit application fraud is not a victimless crime. Obtaining a disabled parking permit through dishonest means undermines the disabled parking scheme, and compromises the availability of accessible spaces for those who genuinely need them.

“I welcome the fact that An Garda Síochána now have the appropriate powers to prosecute those who might want to take advantage of the scheme, and I believe that legitimate permit holders will greatly benefit from the deterrent effect of this new offence and penalty.”

Seán Canney, minister of state for international and road transport, logistics, rail and ports, added: “I welcome the introduction of these new measures ensuring the limited resource of accessible spaces are reserved for those who require it the most.

“Fraudulent application and the misuse of disabled parking permits causes real hardship to people with limited mobility who require these spaces to access vital services and to go about their daily lives.”