Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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518. To ask the Minister for Finance if the criteria that qualify a person for a primary medical certificate will be reviewed to include persons who have a diagnosis such as narcolepsy. [20486/22]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from Vehicle Registration Tax and VAT on the purchase and use of an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant.

The Scheme is open to severely and permanently disabled persons as a driver or as a passenger and also to certain charitable organisations. In order to qualify for relief, the applicant must hold a Primary Medical Certificate issued by the relevant Senior Area Medical Officer (SAMO) or a Board Medical Certificate issued by the Disabled Driver Medical Board of Appeal. Certain other qualifying criteria apply in relation to the vehicle, in particular that it must be specially constructed or adapted for use by the applicant.

To qualify for a Primary Medical Certificate an applicant must be permanently and severely disabled, and satisfy at least one of the following medical criteria, in order to obtain a Primary Medical Certificate:

- be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both legs;

- be wholly without the use of one leg and almost wholly without the use of the other leg such that the applicant is severely restricted as to movement of the lower limbs;

- be without both hands or without both arms;

- be without one or both legs;

- be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both hands or arms and wholly or almost wholly without the use of one leg;

- have the medical condition of dwarfism and have serious difficulties of movement of the lower limbs.

As the Deputy will appreciate this Scheme confers substantial benefits to eligible persons and any changes would raise the already considerable cost of the Scheme in terms of tax foregone to the Exchequer.

I gave a commitment that a comprehensive review of the scheme, to include a broader review of mobility supports for persons with disabilities, would be undertaken.

I am working on this matter with Deputy O’Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. We have agreed that the DDS review should be brought within a wider review under the auspices of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, to examine transport supports encompassing all Government funded transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities. 

This the most appropriate forum to meet mutual objectives in respect of transport solutions/mobility supports for those with a disability.

My officials will continue to work closely with officials from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, to progress this review, and on foot of that will bring forward proposals for consideration. I cannot comment on any potential changes to the scheme in advance of these proposals.