Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. The Government recognises the need to ensure that there are accessible transport options and appropriate mobility supports for people with disabilities. The disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme provides relief for vehicle registration tax and VAT on an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant. The scheme is open to severely and permanently disabled persons as a driver or passenger and to certain charitable organisations. In order to qualify for relief, the applicant must hold a primary medical certificate issued by the relevant senior area medical officer or a board medical certificate issued by the DDMBA.

The DDMBA is expected to be re-established shortly, following the resignation of all members of the previous board in late 2021. Following three recruitment campaigns, five candidates have now been nominated by the Minister for Health and have just completed their Garda vetting. Department of Finance officials have held two meetings with the nominated members and are in contact with the National Rehabilitation Hospital about recommencing the appeals process. The disabled drivers scheme has been reviewed as part of a broader review of mobility supports carried out as part of the work of the national disability inclusion strategy and transport working group. This working group is under the chairmanship of the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Rabbitte. It held several meetings last year. A draft report was considered at its final meeting on 8 December and is currently being finalised. We expect it to be published soon.

I again thank the Deputy for raising this issue, which I accept has dragged on for far too long. We want to make meaningful progress on it in the very near future.

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