Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Jun 2001

Vol. 539 No. 2

Written Answers. - Disabled Drivers.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

113 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the progress on a month by month basis since the setting of the interdepartmental review group to examine the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Regulations, 1994; the extent by which eligibility for qualification under the scheme has been extended; if he has given instructions or received recommendations for an extension of the scheme; if he proposes to respond positively to the various groups who made submissions in the course of the review; when he expects the benefits of this review to extend to disabled persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19325/01]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

I refer the Deputy to earlier replies to parliamentary questions relating to the workings of the interdepartmental review group set up to examine the disabled drivers' and disabled passengers' tax concessions scheme.

As I have said on numerous occasions, the group is chaired by an official from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and my Department is only represented on the group. While I understand that the work of this group is ongoing, I am not in a position to report on its progress in the manner requested by the Deputy. I am informed that the group has met on 21 occasions to date. I have not given any instruction to the group, nor do I think it is appropriate for me to do so.

To date I have not received any recommendation from the group. No amendments have been made to the 1994 regulations governing the scheme and none will be considered until such time as the review is completed and its content is given due consideration.