Vol. 535 No. 5
192 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the interdepartmental review group on the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme has completed its report and when publication will take place. [13196/01]
The review group on the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme, which is under the chairmanship of my Department, is currently drafting a report for consideration by the Minister for Finance. It is hoped that this report will be ready for presentation to the Minister by mid/late June 2001. At this stage, it is not possible to make a statement about a specific publication date.
In the course of its work, the review group invited written submissions from members of the public and organisations representing people with disabilities. Over 260 submissions were received. The group held two rounds of listening meetings during the course of the year 2000, where individuals and organisations were able to make oral presentations to the group. The group's work also included an examination of the situation in other jurisdictions. The group is carrying out a survey by questionnaire sent to the national organisations who made submissions. The purpose of the survey is to obtain further details on the specific types of adaptation to motor vehicles required by persons with various disabilities.
A paper was presented to the tax strategy group last Autumn, outlining the work of the interdepartmental review group on the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme and issues arising. Following the enactment of the Finance Act, this paper is now available on the Department of Finance website at www.finance.irlgov.ie.
