Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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186. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 170 of 24 November 2022, if he will provide this Deputy with copies of the five papers and technical annex submitted to his Department in July 2022 by the criteria sub-group in the Department of Finance in relation to the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme; if he agrees with the criteria sub-group that the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme needs to be replaced with a fit for purpose, needs-based vehicular adaptation scheme; if a new scheme has been developed; the timeframe for the new scheme to be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62406/22]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The issue of mobility supports for people with disabilities is a key priority for me as Minister of State with responsibility for disability. Important cross-Government action to review and consider proposals for the enhancement of transport and mobility supports has been advanced through the framework of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS), and in particular in the context of Action 104 of the NDIS. The Action 104 Transport Working Group was established in 2020 to make progress in this regard.

I have chaired meetings of the Transport Working Group since January 2022, from which point the participation of the Department of Finance in the work of the Group was facilitated for the purposes of including the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme in the Group's holistic considerations. This was arranged following correspondence between Minister O'Gorman and Minister Donohoe on the matter.

As part of its work in 2022, the Transport Working Group has engaged in discussions on the adequacy of Government-funded transport and mobility supports with a view towards developing proposals for the enhancement of these supports going forward. The Department of Finance helpfully provided a number of inputs to the Group, based on the work of a Criteria Sub-Group which it convened for this purpose, specifically in relation to the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme. The membership of the Criteria Sub-Group comprised of former members of the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal and Principal Medical Officers in the HSE. Its purpose was to capture their experiences, expertise and perspectives in relation to the practical operational and administrative challenges of the Scheme, as well as to explore what alternative vehicular arrangements were available for those with mobility issues based on international experience. The main conclusion of the Criteria Sub-Group is that the Scheme needs to be replaced with a fit for purpose, needs-based vehicular adaptation scheme in line with best international practice. The materials provided to the Transport Working Group by the Department of Finance in this regard include an evaluation of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme which concludes that it is no longer fit for purpose; a proposal for a new vehicular adaptation scheme; and international evidence in support of its proposal. I can certainly provide the Deputy with copies of the relevant materials, as, I am sure, would my colleague the Minister for Finance.

The discussions at the Transport Working Group have been particularly enriched by the contributions of Disability Stakeholder Group representatives, and other disability organisations, who have ensured that the lived experience of people with disabilities remains at the centre of considerations.

The Group's work is now completed, and the final report - which synthesises submissions made by members of the Transport Working Group for this purpose - will be finalised and published in Q1 2023. As Chair of the Working Group, I do not propose to comment on any specific scheme in advance of the Group finalising its own position.

It will be incumbent on colleagues across Government with responsibility for transport and mobility supports to carefully consider how the recommendations of the Transport Working Group ought to be advanced following the completion of Action 104 and the conclusion of the NDIS in 2022.

In that regard, I would note that the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has a policy coordination role in relation to disability matters but does not hold responsibility for the specific parameters or administration of any transport or mobility supports for people with disabilities.