Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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124. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the stage work is at in designing a new scheme to replace the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme; the timeline for this work; when it is envisaged the new scheme will be introduced, given the impact the current scheme is having in locking out people who need support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66546/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that my officials have begun developing the Vehicle Adaptation Scheme (VAS), which will provide support for people who need vehicle adaptations.

Over the coming months, the Department intends to conduct extensive consultation with stakeholders, including advocacy groups, to agree the principles and parameters of the new scheme. As primary legislation will be required to underpin the Scheme, it is not possible to provide a definitive timeline for its introduction.

The Department of Finance continues to have oversight of the Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme (DDS). Questions related to the operation of the DDS remain a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance.