BLUE BADGE SCHEME – CONSULTATION

The Department for Regional Development (DRD) has published a consultation document on its proposal for changes to the Blue Badge Scheme.

The consultation document contains a number of planned and potential changes to the Blue Badge Scheme:

•  Options for changes to the Department’s Blue Badge eligibility criteria that have to be made to enable any passported benefits from Personal Independence Payments.

•  Extending the eligibility criteria for a Blue Badge to include children between the ages 2-3 with specific medical conditions.

•  Changing the application process for obtaining a Blue Badge.

•  Moving to the same central database and Blue Badge design and issue as the rest of the UK.

•  Increasing the fee (possibly gradually) for a Blue Badge and replacement badges.

•  Consideration of whether there is a need for Blue Badge Holders to park for free in the Department’s car parks

The public consultation runs until Tuesday 30th July 2013 and as part of the consultation process we want to hear your views and ideas about the proposals and the accompanying screening analysis.

Copies of the documents can be obtained by visiting our website www.drdni.gov.uk or contacting Roads Service by:

Telephone – 028 9054 0458 Textphone – 028 9054 0022

Email - subordinatelegislation.roads@drdni.gov.uk

Copies of the document can be made available in accessible formats. We will also consider any requests for the document to be produced in alternative languages.

Information you provide, including personal information, could be published or disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). For further details on confidentiality and the FOIA please refer to www.ico.gov.uk

Closing date Tuesday 30th July 2013