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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Nov 1992

Vol. 424 No. 10

Ceisteanna — Questions. Written Answers. - Diabled Drivers.

Richard Bruton

Question:

18 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he will modify the rules under which disabled drivers can qualify for tax concessions in view of the fact that, at present, many people who are severely and permanently disabled are excluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The precise conditions under which disabled persons may qualify for tax reliefs on vehicles are set out in the Disabled Drivers (Tax Concessions) Regulations, 1989. These regulations were drawn up following consultation with medical advisers involving very detailed consideration of the needs of severely disabled persons with very serious mobility problems, while having regard to the limited Exchequer resources available. The House will appreciate that, with any scheme such as this, there will always be people who will fall narrowly outside the conditions for qualification.

Reflecting the generosity of the reliefs involved for qualifying applicants, there is constant pressure to extend the scheme further, from both individuals and groups to disabled persons seeking to have their particular type of disability covered. It is accepted that, in many cases, people can be quite disabled yet not qualify for the reliefs available under the scheme. At the end of the day, the emphasis must necessarily be on providing assistance for the needs of severely disabled persons with particularly serious mobility problems, within the overall financial constraints that apply. To extend these major concessions, vis-à-vis normal taxation provisions, to all disabled persons, irrespective of the nature or extent of their disability would be inappropriate and would undermine the very viability of the scheme itself, which already costs the Exchequer in the region of £3.5 million per annum.

However, I should say that the scheme has been under review for some time and, in due course, I will be honouring the commitment given by my predecessor to consult with the Opposition spokes-persons before final decisions, as regards any changes, are taken.

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