Dublin City Council increases towing and fines for illegal parking

Dublin City Council launched a new parking enforcement scheme in Dublin, Ireland, that prioritizes towing and fines over the use of wheel clamps.

The city council signed a five-year, €51 million contract with Apcoa Group to manage the new system. This replaces a 22-year contract with DSPS, a company owned by Q-Park. The new model divides the city into six geographic zones. Officers will patrol these areas to respond to public complaints about obstructed streets.

In residential areas outside the city, patrols focus on these complaints, while a zone on the city's outer rim focuses on moving traffic by relocating offending vehicles. In the city center, officers will conduct patrols on foot. The council stated that while parking laws remain the same, the enforcement approach is now more robust. Residents and business owners can expect a faster response to reports of illegal parking.

The city council plans to see the full benefits of this new contract by 2027.