Written answers

Tuesday, 17 January 2017

Department of Finance

Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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257. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to change the terms of the tax concession for disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme 1994, in respect of a person (details supplied); when he plans to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41749/16]

Photo of Michael NoonanMichael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The scheme and qualifying criteria were designed specifically for those with severe physical disabilities. I frequently receive correspondence from applicants who do not meet the qualifying criteria but feel that they would benefit from the scheme.  While I am sympathetic to those who do not qualify for the Scheme, I cannot, given the scope of the Scheme, expand it further within the current context of constrained resources.

The Scheme represents a significant tax expenditure. Between the Vehicle Registration Tax and VAT foregone, and the repayment of excise on fuel used by members of the Scheme, the Scheme represented a cost of €50.3 million to the Exchequer in 2015, an increase from €48.6 million in 2014. These figures do not include the revenue foregone to the Local Government Fund in the respect of the relief from Motor Tax provided to members of the Scheme. 

I recognise that the Scheme plays an important role in expanding the mobility of citizens with disabilities, and as a consequence the relief has been maintained at current levels throughout the crisis, despite the requirement for significant fiscal consolidation. Accordingly, while I am sympathetic to those who do not qualify for the Scheme, there are no plans to expand the medical criteria beyond the six currently provided for in the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Regulations 1994.

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