Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

A number of improvements were made in January 2016. First, for those citizens who required extensive modifications to their vehicles to take account of their disabilities, where the cost of the modifications exceeded the cost of the vehicles, a category of extensively adapted vehicle was provided for drivers and passengers. The VRT and VAT relief on such vehicles can be up to a figure of €22,000. A category of specifically adapted vehicle was provided for drivers with disabilities who had made significant adaptions to their vehicles. VAT and VRT relief up to a figure of €16,000 is provided in the purchase of such vehicles. The criteria under which an organisation could avail of relief were amended to allow many more charitable organisations involved in the care and transport of citizens with disabilities to become beneficiaries under the scheme.

The Minister for Finance, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, removed some unnecessary and burdensome criteria to improve the functioning of the scheme for beneficiaries. The improvements included an increase in engine size limits from 2 l to 6 l and removing the authorised person requirement. Further to this, he amended the regulations in the budget for this year to widen access to the scheme for charitable organisations, the purpose of which was to provide services for disabled persons. This matter was raised by Members in both Houses, to whom we listened.

My personal view on the scheme, of which the Senator is probably aware, has been outlined in both Houses, but I am responding to him in the name of the Department. It is a matter for the Houses to decide and I encourage them to examine it further. As we showed in the budget, we were listening and changes were made to increase flexibility under the scheme. Perhaps the next opportunity to increase it further might be in the next budget.