Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. It is wonderful to welcome the Minister of State on her first visit to the Seanad in her new role. The issue I have submitted as a Commencement matter is an important one. There is a scheme for persons with disabilities who have a primary medical certificate to claim back VRT and VAT or have them waived as a driver or passenger. The scheme is also open to charities. The current limits are €10,000, €16,000 and €22,000. The €10,000 limit applies to drivers and the €16,000 limit applies to passengers. The problem is that we are moving to hybrid and electric vehicles. These are considerably more expensive than petrol and diesel vehicles. That said, petrol and diesel vehicles are getting more expensive as well. The scheme needs to be reviewed in any case, outside of the climate commitments that the Government has made. People incur a significant expense in adopting hybrid or electric vehicles. The unintended consequence of the commitment the Government has made to moving towards hybrid and electric vehicles is that it creates inequality. It makes it more expensive for people with disabilities who are more in need of support and resources than most other groups in society.

The scheme needs to be changed as a matter of urgency. While it is a good scheme, it is not good if it does not include everybody who needs it.I encourage the Minister of State at the earliest opportunity, working in her new role with the Ministers, Deputies Michael McGrath and Donohoe, to bring this scheme up to date so people with disabilities who are climate-conscious are not discriminated against and are in a position to avail of the scheme and the benefits it is designed to give. I am looking forward to hearing the Minister of State's reply and appreciate her coming to the House to take the matter today.