Written answers

Tuesday, 29 July 2025

Department of Finance

Departmental Schemes

Photo of Aindrias MoynihanAindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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621. To ask the Minister for Finance the up-to-date position on changes being considered under the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme to ensure that the scheme is replaced with a needs-based, grant-led approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40933/25]

Photo of Niamh SmythNiamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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643. To ask the Minister for Finance the current status of the process to review and change the entry criteria for the primary medical certificate scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41419/25]

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 621 and 643 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.

Photo of Aindrias MoynihanAindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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622. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of payments made under the help-to-buy scheme for County Cork for each month this year up to June 2025; their average value monthly for Cork County, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40934/25]

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by Revenue that the table below presents a breakdown of the number of Help to Buy claims in relation to County Cork by month for 2025, based on the date of approval. This table sets out the number of claims as well as the total and average claim amount (payment) per month.

Month Number of Claims Total Claim Amount (€m) Average Claim Amount €

(rounded to nearest hundred)
January 89 2.5 27,600
February 120 3.3 27,400
March 121 3.3 27,200
April 139 3.7 26,600
May 146 4.0 27,500
June 142 3.8 26,700

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