Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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82. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 81 of 4 July 2024, if there is to be an update to the disabled drivers and passengers scheme in this budget cycle; failing that, his Department’s recommendations for people currently being disadvantaged by the scheme due to the lack of a blood link; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39439/24]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy should note that my Department and I share concerns that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme or DDS is no longer fit-for-purpose and believe it should be replaced with a needs-based, grant-led approach for necessary vehicle adaptations that could serve to improve the functional mobility of the individual.

However, this is very much a matter for Government as whilst my Department has oversight of the DDS, I do not have responsibility for disability policy.

As the Deputy is aware the National Disability & Inclusion Strategy or NDIS Transport Working Group recommended that the DDS be replaced with a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicular adaptation scheme. This is in line with the general view that we need to move away from a medical criteria-based approach to a needs-based approach.

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 including how the DDS can be replaced.

The Department of Finance submitted a note to the group with my predecessor's approval in mid-January 2024. This note outlines a proposal for a replacement scheme for the DDS which would be a needs-based, grant-led approach for necessary vehicle adaptations. Further consideration is being given to this matter through the establishment of sub-group of the Department of Taoiseach working group. This sub-group has held two meetings. At the second meeting of 12^th September members discussed the proposed content and format of a summary report to guide Government discussions on a replacement scheme, to be produced in the coming weeks.

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.