Keira Keogh (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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374. To ask the Minister for Finance the actions that should be taken by a severely and permanently disabled person (details supplied) following refusal of primary medical certificate application based on the current criteria considering that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994 is due to be changed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12690/25]

Keira Keogh (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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441. To ask the Minister for Finance when changes will be made to the primary medical certificate criteria, under the terms of Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994 in cases where a person (details supplied) is permanently and severely disabled but their disability does not come within the criteria in the regulations; if there is a timeline for such changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12365/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 374 and 441 together.

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 while 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 the Taoiseach, the sub-group convened to progress NDIS proposals for needs-based, grant-aided, modern vehicle adaptation supports to replace the DDS, have generated a report that has been submitted to the Department of the Taoiseach, for its consideration.

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.

In relation to the actions that should be taken by a person following refusal of a primary medical certificate application, you should note that an appeal may be made to the independent Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal (DDMBA).

At an appeal hearing the Board reviews the decision by a HSE Primary/Principal Medical Officer and determines if an appellant does, or does not meet, one of the six medical criteria. Only if an appellant meets one of the six eligibility criteria will the Board issue a Board Medical Certificate.

I have no role in relation to the granting or refusal of PMCs and the HSE and the Medical Board of Appeal must be independent in their clinical determinations.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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375. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the senior officials group which convened to discuss how the proposals of the national disability inclusion scheme, transport working group final report can be progressed; if this will result in criteria changes for accessing primary medical certificates; the effects the implementation of these proposals may have on the existing disabled drivers scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12868/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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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 while 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 the Taoiseach, the sub-group convened to progress the NDIS proposals for needs-based, grant-aided, modern vehicle adaptation supports to replace the DDS, have generated a report that has been submitted to the Department of the Taoiseach, for its consideration.

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.