Vol. 503 No. 3
103 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if he will order a review of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations, 1994 in view of the very limited definition of disablement in the regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8026/99]
108 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Finance if he will order a review of the Disabled Driver and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations, 1994 in view of the very limited definition of disablement in the regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10195/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 108 together.
As I said in reply to parliamentary questions on 4 March 1999, a review of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme is being undertaken by an interdepartmental group under the chairmanship of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform with a view to determine what modifications, if any, might be proposed to the scheme. The existing medical criteria for qualification may be among the items examined by the group. The review has not yet been completed.
In addition, the Revenue Commissioners have carried out a wide ranging technical review of the operation of the scheme and their report is awaited. However, this review is much narrower in scope in that it addresses problems with the present scheme and makes recommendations on how to make it operate in a more effective and cost-efficient manner for its present target group.
However, I should caution against raising expectations that any person who suffers from some form of disability will be admitted to the scheme following the completion of these examinations. As was pointed out in the reply to the Adjournment debate held on 2 March 1999, which sought extension to one particular category, very large groups or categories have sought to be included in the scheme.
