Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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225. To ask the Minister for Finance if he plans to amend the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme to allow non-blood recipients of carer's allowance to be eligible to apply for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4323/24]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy should note at the outset that 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 the context of proposals to entirely replace the DDS scheme with a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicular adaptation scheme, I believe any further changes to this scheme would run counter to these proposals.