John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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122. To ask the Minister for Finance if there are plans to revise the criteria for applications for a for primary medical certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23183/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Primary Medical Certificate and applications for same are a matter for the Department of Health.

The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme (DDS) provides relief from VRT and VAT on an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant. The Scheme is open to severely and permanently disabled persons as defined, as a driver or as a passenger and also to certain charitable organisations. In order to qualify for relief, the applicant must hold a Primary Medical Certificate issued by the relevant Principal Medical Officer (PMO) or a Board Medical Certificate issued by the Disabled Driver Medical Board of Appeal. Certain other qualifying criteria apply in relation to the vehicle, in particular that it must be specially constructed or adapted for use by the applicant.

To qualify for a Primary Medical Certificate an applicant must be permanently and severely disabled by satisfying at least one of six following medical criteria that is set out in legislation, in order to obtain a Primary Medical Certificate.

The Minister has 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.

In respect of the DDS and eligibility criteria, 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 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.