Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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8. To ask the Minister for Finance if he shares the concerns that the disabled drivers and disabled passengers' scheme is no longer fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4906/25]

John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Tá mé an-sásta an cheist seo a chuir ar an Aire ar son an Teachta O'Sullivan. Mar is eol dó, bhí díospóireacht againn aréir inár bpáirtí parlaiminte ar an ábhar seo. Last night at our parliamentary party meeting, this issue was raised and concern was expressed by a number of Members about the application of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme. The Minister will be aware that the scheme offers those eligible to avail of a repayment of VRT and VAT on the purchase of vehicles and to exempt those eligible from paying motor tax. Concern is being brought to our attention, however, by a high number of refusal rates on such applications and by people finding the application process quite complex and difficult to navigate. Does the Minister have any intention of adapting the scheme?

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I congratulate Deputy O'Sullivan on his election to Dáil Éireann and I thank him for his first question to me on what I know is a very important matter. My Department and I share concerns that the scheme is no longer fit for purpose and believe it should be replaced with a needs-based, grant-led approach for necessary vehicle adaptations that could serve to improve the functional mobility of the individual.

Under the previous Government, the national disability and inclusion strategy, NDIS, transport working group recommended that the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme be replaced with a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicular adaptation scheme. This is in line with the general view that we need to move away from a medical criteria-based approach to a needs-based approach.

Subsequently, under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach, the subgroup convened to progress these proposals for a needs-based, grant-aided, modern vehicle adaptation supports to replace the disabled drivers scheme, DDS, have produced a report that has been submitted to the Department of the Taoiseach, for its consideration.

In that context, any further changes to the existing scheme would run counter to proposals to entirely replace the scheme with a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicular adaptation scheme. The programme for Government commits to progressing the review of the scheme and this is very much a matter for a wider government response.

10 o’clock

While I do not have responsibility for disability policy, I do have responsibility for a number of the other issues raised by the Deputy. I will work with my Government colleagues to progress this matter in the coming months.

I apologise to the Deputy. I referred to him using the name of the Deputy who put down the question in written form. I have not met Deputy Connolly before. I congratulate him. I am sorry I opened by referring to him as another TD.

John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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That is no problem. I could not be mistaken for a better person.

I welcome the Minister's response and the sentiment contained in it, particularly the information that a new scheme is being proposed in this area. This would be welcomed by all Members of the House and many sectoral interests working on behalf of people with disabilities. In respect of the report submitted to the Department of the Taoiseach, is there any update about when that might be published and will there be a debate on the issue among Members?

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I do not have a timeline regarding the publication of that report - if indeed it will be published. Of course, any changes we would make would be subject to debate in the Chamber and because they may require legislative change, they will be discussed by the Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach. There will, therefore, be ample opportunity for the Deputy to put questions to me on the matter and for me to hear his views on it.

John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome that.