Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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275. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update with respect to the review of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme; the funding that was allocated towards it in 2023 compared to 2022 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51340/22]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from Vehicle Registration Tax and VAT on an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant. The cost to the Exchequer of the scheme, (excluding Motor Tax) was €62 million in 2021 and is currently at €59m Y.T.D., reflecting reductions in fuel grant claims arising from COVID-19 travel restrictions within Ireland. The cost of the scheme in 2023 is expected to be similar to that of previous years. 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. To qualify for a Primary Medical Certificate an applicant must be permanently and severely disabled, and satisfy at least one of the six medical criteria.

In relation to the review of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme, as the Deputy will be aware, I gave a commitment to the Dail that such a review including a broader review of mobility supports for persons with disabilities, would be undertaken.

In this context I have been working with Roderic O’Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. We both agreed that the review should be brought within a wider review under the auspices of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS), to examine transport supports encompassing all Government funded transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities.

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

The NDIS working group, chaired by Minister Anne Rabbitte, with officials from both this Department and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth as well as others, has held a number of meetings this year and have completed a stock-taking exercise of existing transport and mobility schemes currently supporting people with disabilities. At the next meeting of the Transport Working Group in November, proposals for next steps from all members (including the Department of Finance, agencies and stakeholders) will be considered to complete the work required under the NDIS.

As part of its contribution to the NDIS review, my Department established an information-gathering group to capture the experiences, expertise and perspectives of former Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal (DDMBA) members and Principal Medical Officers (PMOs) in the HSE. A range of outputs have been produced, providing information and views on the DDS scheme as inputs into the broader review.

My officials will continue to engage constructively with the NDIS review with a view to assisting in bringing forward proposals for Government to consider.

I cannot comment on any potential changes to the scheme in advance of these proposals.