To ask the Minister for Regional Development to outline the reasons for the delay in the disability parking bay application process in the Roads Service Eastern Division.

My Department’s Roads Service has advised that applications received in its Eastern Division for disabled parking bays are dealt with within a 21-day period, by which time the applicant will be advised, either that they have met the necessary criteria for the provision of a bay, or of the reasons why their application is not being progressed.

I should explain that disabled parking bays are authorised by means of a statutory rule (SR). Normally, details of applications that have been approved at divisional level across the North are batched on a two monthly basis and incorporated into a single draft SR. There are a number of steps involved in making an SR, including clearing the draft SR with the Department of Finance and Personnel’s Departmental Solicitor’s Office (DSO). In the past this has normally taken a couple of months, but I understand that over the past year, due to pressures on staff resources within the DSO, the timeframe for getting draft SRs cleared has increased significantly. Roads Service is in regular contact with the DSO about this issue and I understand DSO is seeking additional resources in order to address the backlog situation.

I hope this has reassured you that Roads Service is dealing with all applications in an appropriate manner and that any delays currently being experienced are outside of its control. If you have particular concerns regarding any specific applications where you feel that delays are excessive, please provide me with the details and I will have the matter investigated.