Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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150. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the development of a replacement for the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme; if specific supports for purchasing electric vehicles will be considered as part of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36692/25]

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 vehicle adaptation scheme (VAS) to 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. My officials have just begun development of the scheme and are in the initial stages of process-mapping.

The VAS will be a reimbursement scheme, assisting with the additional cost of adapting a vehicle. It is intended that the scheme will be open to drivers and passengers with 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.

Support for the capital cost of vehicles, including electric vehicles, remains a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance.