Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 101: To ask the Minister for Finance the amendments proposed by the review group on the motor tax concessions for persons with a disability; the estimated cost of implementing these recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15666/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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 did not provide a cost for the recommendations and options that were outlined. However it noted the potential for costs to rise in the event of reforming the Scheme by pointing out that up to 92,000 people considered themselves to be disabled, while at the time of the Report only 7,900 persons were covered by the Scheme.

Based on the most recent data available from the Revenue Commissioners, it is estimated that the number of claimants in the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme in 2006 was approximately 11,000 and the cost was over €67 million.

The Report also makes a number of recommendations, both immediate and long-term, referring respectively to the operation of the appeals process and options for the future development of the scheme. In respect of the long-term recommendations, including the qualifying disability criteria, 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. This consideration is undertaken on a regular basis.