Martin Daly (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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28. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeline for the implementation of the revised primary medical certificate grant scheme, as outlined by a sub-group under the Department of the Taoiseach, which has recommended a new grant-based model to be developed and led by his Department. [34710/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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Following a review of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (DDS) Scheme, as part of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy review of Government-funded transport and mobility supports for those with a disability, it was recommended that the DDS should be replaced with a modern vehicular adaptation scheme, in line with international practice.

On foot of this recommendation, the Department of Transport is developing a new grant-based scheme. The Vehicle Adaptation Scheme (VAS) will provide needs-based support for vehicle adaptations, to improve the ability of those with a physical disability to travel via a personal means of transport.

The VAS will be a reimbursement scheme, assisting with the additional cost of adapting a vehicle. The intention is that scheme will be open to drivers and passengers who have a clinically assessed need for vehicle adaptations to enable them to enter or exit a vehicle or to operate a vehicle. As eligibility will be based on a clinical assessment, a primary medical certificate will not be required for the VAS.

My officials have just begun development of the scheme and are in the initial stages of process-mapping. Accordingly, and as primary legislation will be required to underpin the scheme, it is not possible to provide a definitive timeline for its introduction. However, at this point my Department is working towards a provisional commencement date of 1 January 2027.