Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I gave a commitment to the House that a comprehensive review of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme to include a broader review of mobility supports for persons with disabilities would be undertaken. I am working with the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman on this. Both of us agree that this work should take place under the auspices of the national disability inclusion strategy to examine transport supports encompassing all Government-funded transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities. This is the best way of handling this issue. A working group has been set up to do this and is chaired by the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte. Officials from my Department and from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth sit on the group, which began work at the start of the year.

In September, the group continued its meetings and assessed the best proposals to modify or take the place of the scheme the Deputy is raising. At its next meeting on 29 November, the group will try to further develop policies and proposals in this area. My Department has established an information gathering group to capture the experiences, expertise and perspectives of former Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal members and principal medical officers in the HSE. A range of outputs have been produced, providing information and views on the disabled drivers scheme, and these are feeding into our work. I accept that this is a priority. I will continue to work on this matter to try to bring it to conclusion.

See this speech in context