John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 265: To ask the Minister for Finance if he intends to invite submissions from disability groups in relation to the 2004 inter-Departmental review of the 1994 disabled drivers/disabled passengers tax concessions scheme; if he has estimated the cost of proposed recommendations of the review group; when he proposes to introduce changes to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24430/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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A special Interdepartmental Review Group reviewed the operation of the Disabled Drivers Scheme. The terms of reference of the Group were to examine the operation of the existing scheme, including the difficulties experienced by the various groups and individuals involved with it, and to consider the feasibility of alternative schemes, with a view to assisting the Minister for Finance in determining the future direction of the scheme.

The Group's Report, published on my Department's website in July 2004, sets out in detail the genesis and development of the scheme. It examines the current benefits, the qualifying medical criteria, the Exchequer costs, relationship with other schemes and similar schemes in other countries. The Report also makes a number of recommendations, both immediate and long-term, encompassing the operation of the appeals process and options for the possible future development of the scheme. The short-term recommendations in respect of the appeals process have been implemented.

In respect of the long-term recommendations, including the qualifying disability criteria, I should say that given the scale and scope of the scheme, further changes can only be made after careful consideration. For this reason, the Government decided that the Minister for Finance would consider the recommendations contained in the Report of the Interdepartmental Review Group in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard to the existing and prospective cost of the scheme. There are around 9,500 claimants under the scheme and the cost to the Exchequer was over €56m last year.

The best way of addressing the transport needs of people with disabilities of whatever kind, and the effectiveness, suitability or otherwise of the Disabled Drivers Scheme in that regard will be considered and progressed in consultation with the other Departments who have responsibility in this area. A car tax concession scheme can obviously only play a partial role in dealing with this serious issue, and examination of the scheme is taking place in that context. Any changes to this scheme will be considered in the context of the overall development of policy in this area.

As regards consultation with disability groups, the Review Group received over 260 written submissions from individuals and organisations representing persons with disabilities and heard 21 oral submissions from some of these individuals and organisations. The submissions were taken into account in the preparation of the Report and its recommendations.