Ulster Unionist Transport Minister, Danny Kennedy has announced plans for automatic eligibility for a Blue Badge for Service Personnel in receipt of benefits under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.
The Minister said: “Thousands of people all over Northern Ireland benefit from my Department’s Blue Badge Scheme. The scheme is available to people with severe mobility difficulties who travel either as drivers or passengers. I wish to ensure that Service Personnel, who have serious injuries which were incurred whilst serving their country, can also benefit from this extremely valuable service.
“Therefore, I am amending my Department’s Blue Badge Regulations to ensure that any service personnel in receipt of specified benefits under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme are automatically entitled to a Blue Badge in Northern Ireland.”
Blue Badges improve the Holder’s lifestyle and independence by allowing them to park on-street, close to facilities and services they need.
The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme provides compensation for any injury, illness or death incurred during service on or after 6 April 2005. The War Pension Scheme compensates Service Personnel for any injury, illness or death which occurs up to this date. The Department’s Blue Badge Regulations already include automatic eligibility for a Badge for recipients of the War Pension Mobility Supplement.
