Vol. 555 No. 2
185 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the progress in regard to a liberalisation of the regulation of the 1994 disabled drivers and disabled passengers regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18397/02]
An interdepartmental group was set up in 1997 to review the disabled drivers' and disabled passengers' scheme. The group examined all aspects of the scheme, including the qualifying medical criteria.
I have been informed there are up to 360,000 persons in Ireland who could be regarded as disabled to some degree or other. These include both persons with medical conditions other than those which are covered by the scheme, and those with medical conditions covered by the scheme. The substantial tax benefits of the disabled drivers' and disabled passengers' scheme make for considerable interest in and desire to be admitted to the scheme.
The cost of reliefs excluding the annual road tax costs, in 2001 was approximately €30.5 million, as compared to €5.1 million in 1994. The cost of the scheme in 2002, again excluding annual road tax costs, is estimated to be in the region of €38 million.
I have recently received the report of the interdepartmental review group on the disabled drivers' and disabled passengers' scheme. Any recommendations contained in this report, whether to widen the scope of the scheme or otherwise, will receive full consideration.
