Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware that Action 74 of the Joint Committee on Autism's June 2023 report proposes adoption of a needs-based approach to the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme (DDS). The Department of Finance has oversight of the (DDS) only. It has no role in broader disability policy or services.

The final report of the NDIS Transport Working Group's review of mobility and transport supports including the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme (DDS), endorsed proposals for a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicle adaptation scheme in line with international best practice that would replace the DDS, as it is no longer fit-for-purpose on any and all aspects. The proposals note this was a clear deliverable for the near future.

The NDIS TWG was chaired by Minister Anne Rabbitte and led by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY).

Access to transport for people with disabilities is a multifaceted issue that involves work carried out by multiple Government departments and agencies. Under the aegis of the Department of Taoiseach officials from relevant Departments and agencies are meeting to discuss the issues arising from the NDIS report and to map a way forward. My officials are proactively engaging with this Senior Officials Group work as an important step in considering ways to replace the DDS, as one specific personal transport response, in the context of broader Government consideration of holistic, multifaceted and integrated transport and mobility supports for those with a disability. Three meetings of the SOG have been held, in July, November and December 2023.

In that context, any further changes to the existing DDS would run counter to NDIS proposals to entirely replace the scheme with a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicular adaptation scheme.