David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 72: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance when he will review the eligibility criteria for the disabled driver and disabled passenger scheme and other vehicle adaptation schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8512/08]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and Vehicle Registration Tax (up to a certain limit), and exemption from motor tax, on the purchase of an adapted car for transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities.

The disability criteria for these concessions are set out in the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994. To get a Primary Medical Certificate, an applicant must be permanently and severely disabled within the terms of these Regulations.

There was an interdepartmental review of the Scheme which also considered the Motorised Transport Grant and the Mobility Allowance schemes.

The Deputy might wish to be aware that some 12,500 people benefited under the scheme in 2007 at an overall estimated cost of €74 million. Any changes would have to be considered in the context of the annual Budget.