A wheelchair-bound man has had his disability allowance cut because he could not find a parking space.
Well-known Letterkenny man Frank Larkin missed signing on at his local post office after cars were parked illegally in the disabled bay.
Frank, 41, who suffers from Spina Bifida, drove around the town several times but could still not get parked.
He managed to sign on to claim his money the following week.
However this week Frank, from Long Lane, received a letter from the Disability Allowance office of the Department of Social and Family Protection asking him why he missed signing-on for one week.
The letter informed him that his €188 weekly benefit was now being cut unless he explained in writing the reason for missing his signing-on appointment.
Frank said he is fuming at the attitude shown by the Government to his case.
“If they had picked up the phone and called me then I could have explained.
“Instead I am now faced with this dilemma that I may not receive any money for several weeks. It’s an utter scandal,” said Frank.
Ironically Frank received his payments since he missed the signing-on period from April 10th to 16th.
But this week’s letter suspending his allowance came out of the blue.
Frank admits that he can probably make arrangements to have his allowance paid into his bank account but prefers to collect it in person.
“I’m a sociable kind of man and I like to get out and about. I like going down the street and chatting to people.
“I’m also a bit weary of putting my money into banks. I have bills to pay and I need the cash and prefer not going in and out of banks,” he said.
Frank says the situation also highlights the consequences of people parking illegally in disabled parking bays.
“I went around the town several times that day. There are three disabled spaces within a short distance of the post office which I can use.
“All three were parked in and all were parked in illegally. People have to think about the consequences when they do park illegally.
“Hopefully I can get this sorted as soon as possible but it’s a real headache for me,” he said.
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