Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 101: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will expand the disabled drivers' scheme to take account of other forms of disability not eligible under the scheme; the reason for not undertaking such an expansion; the last time a review or expansion of the scheme was carried out since the scheme was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31752/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Finance when it is expected to act on the recommendations of the interdepartmental group dealing with the disabled drivers disabled passengers tax concession 1994 regulations; the exact status of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31774/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 103 together.

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. 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.