The number of individuals classified as having a “severe permanent disability” in Gozo has soared dramatically over the past decade, raising questions about the integrity of the system used to allocate disability parking permits.
Figures tabled in the Parliament reveal that the number of Blue Badges issued in Gozo rose from just 27 in 2013 to an extraordinary 1,097 by the end of 2024 — representing a fortyfold increase.
However, the data has been met with scepticism by medical professionals. Several Gozitan doctors, speaking to The Shift, dismissed the figures as implausible.
“I think this ‘phenomenon’ is more connected to the fact that we have three Labour ministers in Gozo, all working against each other to win votes from the same pool of constituents,” a Gozitan doctor said.
When pressed in Parliament by Opposition spokesperson Chris Said, Inclusion Minister Julia Farrugia, whose portfolio includes the Blue Badge scheme, was unable to provide a substantive explanation for the spike.
Analysis of the statistics suggests that the largest year-on-year increases coincided with national election cycles — notably in 2017, 2022, and 2024 — fuelling further speculation that the system may have been exploited for electoral gain.
Holders of a Blue Badge are entitled to park in reserved spaces for disabled individuals and may also receive a designated space outside their home, which offers considerable convenience in congested urban areas.
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Another phenomenon is Gozo is the spike of the number of people paying no road licence fees on their motor vehicles. The abuse is rampant. The Shift should investigate.
The real only persons who have a right for a dedicated parking space are persons who have mobility impairment , especially using a wheel chair. Then fine heavily those who use a blue card to park in blue zones , while using their family member blue card. Very popular in summer and shopping .
Beg to differ, when one is unfortunately confined to a wheel chair, it would be hard to personally drive or control one’s vehicle. A blue badge is needed for when one individual has determining medical factors that may impede him/her quality of life and live as best as possible. if such Blue Badge is negated when one still has use of one legs, yet face difficulty with serious mobility, then what’s the bloody use for a Blue Badge after such unfortunate individual is then confined to a bloody wheel chair, when it is too late to make use of his/her vehicle?!!
Ahjar jghidu l Maltin li invadew il-Gzira! Kollha ghalihom dawn l parkings! Gzira gabuha mizbla!
making the non paying tax dues, richer.
Tmutu bil guh jekk il Maltin ma jzurux il-Gzira taghkom! Issa tkellem!
Dak x tahseb inti! L Ghawdxi m ghandux bzonn lil hadd! Tghid mintiex tghixu inti! Allura xi tghidli jekk bil-provi l-mejjet bil-guh huma l Malti? Turiex kemm inti superjuri!
Il-Gzira ta’ Calypso spiccat bhal Malta… intom l-Ghawdxin stess fottejtu dan ‘Id-Djamant’ fil Mediterran habba il-kelba ghal Flus u proffit lejn butkom. U qabel ma’ twegibini – kun ghaf li jien trabbejt Ghawdex fi tfuliti!
L-Ghawdex li kont naf u trabbejt hija issa biss holma sabejha ! Dak li tizra Tahsad!
Naqbel mieghek mija fil-mija! Kull dar bieghuha u kull kantun tawh lil Malti! Mur ara l bini ikrah li hemm fl-irhula jaqbdek l biki, hmieg ma kullimkien, vetturi ma kullimkien lanqas parking ma ssib. L Ghawdxi mdejjaq imma dan hu kollu tort tieghu naqbel! Pajjizu bieghu, ma baqalu xejn!
I have serious mobility issues. A Blue Badge would help me park near a bank, supermarket and other outlets. I use a walking aid, rollator and hiking sticks. My application was denied TWICE. I have been told to reapply in a year’s rime Perhaps I should get my legs amputated. Or go and live in Gozo! It seems I don’t have the right contacts!
Unbelievable!
Gospel truth!
I totally understand your feelings Mr Barbaro Sant, I too was denied a renewal even after I faced their Appeals Board made of one or two medical professionals. As you aptly put it, one needs to have his arms or legs amputated, and then apply for a Blue Badge!
Yet then again one can’t make use of his vehicle after having such drastic Medical surgical inTERvension! The mind boggles!
(P.S.) My apologies as I cannot type in small caps (and I don’t have Caps Lock switched on)
I should point out that the Appeals board included a Police Inspector and a sergeant, besides doctors and, I presume civil servants. The inspector was the only one who spoke during the five minute appeal.
At my first hearing, a very junior doctor – probably just out of medical school-Sat me down on a chair and asked me to raise my knees. That was all.nothing else. a bloody joke. Is the minister aware of these jokes?
At the time, net had come out with a report that. Blue badges were being issued like pastizzi. It probably helped to fuck up the issue !
The board is Mostly made up of non medical professional personnel. And yes only the Police Inspector spoke out, he is the chairman. No medical physical tests and no intervention of the one Medical professional present. The rest of the Appeals Board were NON Medical individuals!
How about Traffic Fines?! They seem to target Maltese Mainland Registered Plates yet wonder of wonders, two vehicles parked before I had in front and 2 motorcycles behind me (also parked before I had) were not issued tickets in Marasalforn. I just wonder why… yes, Admit there was one ‘No parking sign’ 15 metres ahead of me (Could not see it then) with wall hanging adverts before such sign.
Ok mea culpae but why just my vehicle getting a ticket?!!
Tlett ministri jsahhu is siggu taghhom permess tal blue badge alla jbierek fi tnax il sena min 27 zdiedu 1097 lanqas hi cara hej .mela l ghawdxin qed isiru dizzabli b’din ir -rata daqs hekk magla.ministri li juzaw il poteri li ghandhom biex jiggarantiexu il penzjoni parlamentari li ghandhom.
Ghax kienu jafu li bil-flus tieghek kont ser tghajjex lil xi hadd ghalhekk ghazlu l vettura tieghek!