John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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455. 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. [24424/25]

Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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466. To ask the Minister for Finance if survivors of scoliosis spinal fusion, and other lifelong mobility issues, will be included in the qualifying criteria for the disabled drivers and the disabled passengers scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23676/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 455 and 466 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 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.