Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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89. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to review the regulations for the disabled drivers scheme and eligibility for a primary medical certificate under this scheme to ensure that a person with only one arm is eligible for a primary medical certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12465/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and VRT (up to a certain limit) on the purchase of an adapted car for transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities, payment of a fuel grant, and an exemption from Motor Tax.

To qualify for the Scheme an applicant must be in possession of a Primary Medical Certificate. To qualify for a Primary Medical Certificate, an applicant must be permanently and severely disabled within the terms of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994. The Scheme represents a significant tax expenditure costing €65m in each of 2016 and 2017 (excluding motor tax foregone).

From time to time I receive representations on behalf of individuals who believe they would benefit from the scheme but do not qualify under the criteria. While I have sympathy for such cases, given the scale and scope of the scheme, I have no plans to review the medical criteria at this time.