Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 6: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will review the new emissions based car tax system as it applies to disabled drivers, with a view to raising the cap in view of the problems caused by increased costs to disabled drivers as a result of the new scheme and the fact that they would have less choice available in choosing a more environmentally friendly car (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23212/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and Vehicle Registration Tax (up to a certain limit), and exemption from motor tax, on the purchase of an adapted car for transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities. The disability criteria for these concessions are set out in the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994. To get a Primary Medical Certificate, an applicant must be permanently and severely disabled within the terms of these Regulations.

Some 13,000 people benefited under the scheme in 2008 at an overall estimated cost of €76 million. Any changes would have to be considered in the context of the annual Budget. Motor Tax is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government.