Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Nov 2003

Vol. 575 No. 4

Written Answers. - Disabled Drivers.

Liz McManus

Question:

111 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Finance the reason the report submitted by the interdepartmental review group on the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme has not been published, made public or presented to Dáil Éireann; if it is available under the Freedom of Information Act 1997; if so, if its contents can be made known to Dáil Éireann; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the scheme is questionable under the equality legislation in view of the fact that categories of persons with severe disabilities and who cannot afford a car cannot avail of it; if provision will be made for the extension of the scheme to make it more equitable to include all persons equally who have disabilities in the budget for the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28517/03]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

As I have said in previous replies to parliamentary questions, I have received the report of the Interdepartmental Review Group on the Disabled Drivers' and Disabled Passengers' (Tax Concessions) Scheme and it is currently being considered. The report is a substantial document and demands careful study.

This report has been previously requested under the Freedom of Information Act 1997. However, the report was not released and was withheld under section 19 and section 20 of that Act. This decision was reviewed internally and the decision was upheld. Statutory schemes do not fall within the remit of equality legislation.

Any recommendations contained in this report in relation to the medical criteria and other conditions of the scheme will receive full consideration. As the Deputy is no doubt aware, it is not customary for the Minister for Finance to indicate in advance what measures, if any, will be taken in the budget.