Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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115. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has examined the report submitted to his office prior to 19 March 2025 from the NDIS transport working group, recommending that the DDS be replaced with a modern, fit for purpose vehicular adaptation scheme, based on need rather than medical criteria; if he has accepted the recommendations therein; and if so, the timeline for development and rolling out of the new scheme. [27854/25]

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 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.