Vol. 512 No. 6
30 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Finance when the interdepartmental group will report on the review of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) regulations scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26794/99]
As the Deputy is aware, this scheme is under review by an interdepartmental group which was established in April 1998 and is chaired by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. In addition to representatives from that Department, the group has representatives from my Department, the Department of Health and Children and the Revenue Commissioners.
The group has met on a number of occasions and will be arranging to meet representatives of a number of organisations and a number of persons who indicated a desire to make oral submissions. The date for such oral presentations has not yet been determined, but it is likely to be early in the new year. The information furnished at these meetings will facilitate the group in bringing its work to a conclusion and finalising its report.
While the Revenue Commissioners keep the scheme under ongoing review, they have just completed a technical review of the scheme and this document has recently been circulated to the members of the interdepartmental group. However, it should be pointed out that the Revenue review has a very specific focus in that it aims to address only the technical and operational problems with the present scheme with a view to making the scheme operate in a more effective and cost-efficient manner for its current target group.
I am most sympathetic to people with disabilities. However, a particular difficulty with this scheme relates to its increasing cost in giving very generous tax benefits. The total cost to the Exchequer for 1998 was £14.4 million and it is estimated that the cost will rise to at least £17 million this year.
I welcome the Minister's reply. I tabled this question in order to discover when the interdepartmental group is likely to report and whether an interim report will be issued. While I appreciate the Minister's referring to the cost of the scheme, I am sure he would like people who have been prevented from travelling or whose motor vehicles require special alterations to be able to avail of the scheme.
Will the Deputy put a question to the Minister?
Have representatives of the National Rehabilitation Board, particularly Dr. McNamara who deals with appeals in respect of the scheme, been invited to make a submission?
We had a detailed debate on this matter in respect of an earlier question tabled by Deputy Deenihan and I do not wish to repeat what was said. The review group is chaired by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform so I do not know the identity of the various groups which have made submissions. However, I will obtain information in that regard for the Deputy. I understand it was not intended to make an interim report and I hope the final report will be published early in the new year. This matter has been under consideration for some time and it is the group's intention to bring its deliberations to a conclusion as soon as possible.
I was shocked by the Minister's reply to Deputy Deenihan's earlier question. Was he informing the House that people who are already benefiting from this scheme would object to its being extended? Does he believe this is a justifiable reason for not considering an extension of the scheme? Would the almost non-existence of public transport for people with disabilities and the fact that some individuals are prisoners in their homes not justify a generous extension of the scheme?
In reply to an earlier question I stated that representatives of the Disabled Drivers Association, at a meeting with the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, said they were strongly opposed to any tinkering with the regulations. I have stated on a number of occasions that this scheme provides wide and generous tax breaks. There are many thousands of people who are entitled to claim some form of disability, and to give the same level of tax breaks to all these groups would mean that the cost of the scheme would run to hundreds of millions of pounds. That is not the intention and the people who currently benefit from the scheme are concerned about the possibility of its being tinkered with. All these matters are being considered by the interdepartmental group, which is chaired by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
I appreciate that the Minister answered questions on this matter earlier so I will not detain the House. Will he make the terms of reference of the interdepartmental group available to Members and will he inform us whether an extension of the scheme is being considered or whether this has been specifically excluded from the group's terms of reference?
I do not have the terms of reference in my possession but I can forward them to the Deputy.
Is the group considering an extension of the scheme or is it merely evaluating the existing scheme?
This matter was discussed at meetings of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party. Arising from that, it was decided to establish the interdepartmental group.
To do what?
To consider the various aspects of the scheme, the tax breaks which are already in existence and the possible extension of the scheme. Those matters are under consideration and I am merely pointing out that a substantial extension of the scheme would cost many millions of pounds.
In light of anomalies and practical difficulties Members encounter, particularly in respect of stroke victims who wish to avail of the scheme, will the Minister ensure that Dr. Angela McNamara of the National Rehabilitation Board, who deals with appeal cases in this area, is given an opportunity to make a presentation to the interdepartmental group?
I will pass on Deputy Callely's suggestion to the Minister of State who chairs the group.
