Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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172. To ask the Minister for Finance when a new scheme for disabled drivers and passengers will be available, given it is almost five years on from the Supreme Court judgement of June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26518/25]

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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173. To ask the Minister for Finance the schemes or financial assistance available to people with disabilities to assist with the cost of vehicles or adaptations to vehicles in the absence of a fit-for-purpose scheme for disabled drivers and disabled passengers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26521/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 173 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 my Department has oversight of the DDS only, and does not have responsibility for disability policy.

Under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach, the sub-group convened to progress the National Disability Inclusion Strategy proposals for a needs-based, grant-aided, modern vehicle adaptation supports to replace the DDS, generated a report that was submitted to the Department of the Taoiseach. In considering this report, it has been proposed that a new grant-based scheme be developed and led by the Department of Transport.

The Department of Transport is beginning the development of this new scheme. The existing DDS remains with the Department of Finance and will continue to be reviewed in the context of new scheme developments by the Department of Transport.

Finally in relation to Dail Question No. 173 (Ref: PQ 26521/25), the Deputy should note that as the DDS is the only disability scheme that comes within the remit of my Department, I am not in a position to provide the details he is seeking in this question.