Parking permitted for charities

The great work of Meals on Wheels organisations across Cork city can continue without the fear of a parking fine.

Officials at Cork City Hall this week explained that there are certain permits available to charities and volunteer groups which they can apply for in the parking office.

It comes after Sinn Féin councillor Henry Cremin raised the issue, asking that Cork City Council introduce special parking permits for Meals on Wheels associations across the city. Their drivers, he said, sometimes have to park in unauthorised areas to facilitate deliveries to their clients.

Cllr Cremin was told that Cork City Council currently operates a parking permit scheme and issues resident parking permits, carer parking permits and charitable organisation parking permits.

A spokesperson for the roads and transportation department in City Hall said: “The purpose of permits for charitable organisations is to ensure that parking charges are not a barrier for charities in the provision of their core services.

“The permits will be location and time specific, dependent on the needs of the organisation as determined by Cork City Council. The permits do not permit the bearer to park illegally like in loading bays, disabled bays etc, but only to park in legal parking areas without the need to display a parking disc or pay using the Park Magic solution.”

The spokesperson said that the organisation must have charitable status and the permits must be essential to the core business of the organisation and only those who are assisting the organisation on a voluntary basis can make use of the permits.

“Cork City Council requires all applicants to provide such evidence as the council deems necessary to satisfy itself of their entitlement to a permit. Meals and Wheels would fall into this category. Any enquiries should be directed to the Parking Office,” concluded the spokesperson.