Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Dec 2001

Vol. 546 No. 5

Written Answers. - Disabled Drivers.

Andrew Boylan

Question:

142 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the strict guidelines attached to the disabled driver's grant; his views on whether it is important that a car owner has a car that is suitable to their needs; his further views on whether it is important in the interest of road safety, that disabled drivers have cars suitable to their needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31095/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I assume that the Deputy is referring to the motorised transport grant which is administered by the health boards, as opposed to the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme under the aegis of the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners.

The motorised transport grant was introduced in 1968 and the guidelines were reviewed and modified in February and March 1974. The purpose of this grant is to provide assistance to persons with a disability who may need a car to obtain or retain employment or to provide assistance to persons with a disability who are living in very isolated circumstances and have serious transport problems.

To be eligible to receive this grant applicants must have a disability which impedes their use of public transport, must hold a driving licence, must be physically and mentally capable of driving and the grant must be a necessity in order for the person to obtain or retain employment or the person must have a transport requirement because of very isolated circumstances.

Applications may also be considered in cases where persons with severe disabilities are incapable of managing the controls of a car or where on medical opinion it is inadvisable for them to drive and therefore they must be driven to and from their place of employment. In such cases, the car must be purchased by the person with a disability and the name of the person who will drive this person to and from his/her place of employment must be notified to the relevant health board. The motorised transport grant is means tested. The maximum grant is currently £3,300 (4,190.14) and will rise to £3,441.65 (4,370) from 1 January 2002.

With regard to the Deputy's question about the suitability of cars for people with disabilities and road safety, the deputy will be aware that all car owners are required to ensure that their cars com ply with established safety requirements as laid down by law. All cars over five years old must be tested, and meet the requirements of the national car test. The essential issue for disabled drivers is not the suitability of the carper se, but of any adaptations to the car. It is important that adaptations to a car meet the specific needs of the person with a disability who will be driving that car. Both the Irish Wheelchair Association and the Disabled Drivers' Association can arrange for professional advice for individuals on this matter.