On International Women's Day, it is appropriate that Senator Maria Byrne will lead the Seanad in our first piece of business today.
Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters
Housing Adaptation Grants
I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, for coming to the House to discuss this important issue. For the past number of years I have been working closely on applications for grants, mainly with older people and people with disabilities or illness. It has been a beneficial grant, of which people can avail, to replace a bath with a shower, to put in a wet room, central heating, or other amenities covered under the scheme. I was in a house recently that still does not have a bathroom. It has an outside toilet. People are still living in poor conditions. I looked at the amounts of money available for the grant, and then the rising costs. Listening to builders and to people who have applied for the grant, it is clear that costs are rising all of the time. We realise the Government has been good in supporting businesses and people with rising costs, but it is time to carry out a review of these grants. The amount of money people receive only goes part of the way to covering some of the supports that need to be put in place. I ask the Minister if there are any plans within the Department to carry out a review in light of the rising costs. I look forward to his response.
I also start with best wishes for International Women's Day. I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. I know from my own county that this a hugely beneficial grant scheme. I recognise the challenges raised by the Senator, particularly as construction costs continue to rise. My Department provides funding to local authorities under the suite of housing adaptation grants for older people and people with a disability, to assist people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs, which also facilitates early return from hospital stays. The grants include the housing adaptation grant for people with a disability, the mobility aids grant and the housing aid for older people grant. These are 80% funded by my Department, with a 20% matching contribution from the resources of the local authority. These grants are available to people with an enduring physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual disability, and to older people who experience mobility issues or require essential home repairs so they can continue to live independently. The schemes are means-tested and operate on a sliding scale, with the highest percentage grants available to those with the lowest incomes and vice versa. The detailed administration of these schemes, including assessment, approval, prioritisation and apportionment between the three schemes, is the responsibility of local authorities. In 2022, additional funding was secured from wider savings across the vote for the scheme resulting in €85.9 million expenditure overall. This facilitated the payment of over 12,000 grants which compares favourably with the target of over 10,700 grants. The funding available for these grants in 2023 has been increased by almost €2 million to a total of over €83 million when accounting for the local authority contribution - continuing the year-on-year increase since 2014. Housing for All commits to undertaking a review of the range of housing grants available to assist with meeting specific housing needs, both for our ageing population and people with a disability. The demographics are showing that we are living older and living longer. I think that is fantastic, and we need to meet the challenges that puts in front of us. A report on the review of the housing adaptation grants for older people and people with a disability has been prepared by my Department. Among the areas the review is considering are income thresholds, grant limits, application and decision-making processes, including the supplementary documentation required. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, will be giving careful consideration to the review report and will make a decision on the recommendations in the report as soon as possible.
On the Senator's query on the retrofitting grant scheme, I know that the scheme is under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, which is under the auspices of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. The Department can provide further details on SEAI schemes. I recognise the challenges with these grants, particularly given the increase in construction costs. That is why the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, was minded to carry out this review. The findings of that review will be useful in informing how we adapt and tweak these grants in order to be in a position where they continue to be impactful, which they have been across the country. It is critically important that we are able to review them and ensure they are fit for purpose.
I thank the Minister of State. It is good news that the Department is carrying out this review and I thank the Minister of State and his Department for that. I am sure we will hear about the recommendations down the line. This is the right thing to do and there has to be an increase. An area that needs to be looked at is that sometimes people might need a downstairs bedroom built on but it is hard to qualify for those grants. It is wonderful that 12,000 people have received grants over the last year and that this is an increase on what the Department had targeted. The extra money is also welcome. However, that area where a person needs an extra grant also needs to be looked at. Maybe that could be separated out from what has been available to date. I look forward to the review coming out and to hearing the recommendations.
I welcome the students from Sharavogue Junior School in Glenageary who are in the Gallery. I hope they have a good day and it is great to see them all here on International Women's Day. Enjoy your visit to Leinster House.
Cuirim fáilte rompu; it is great to have them here. Listening carefully to the points the Senator made, I know from my local authority that these grants are transformative. They improve the quality of life of older people and the critical thing is to keep people living in their homes for longer and in an independent way. That is why the grants have been hugely impactful in the ten years since this grant was brought in. Given the benefits this scheme provides to people who rely on them to continue to live their lives independently in their homes, our objective is to continue to provide further increases in funding and I outlined the increase that was made this year. That is critically important and the Senator has referenced issues around downstairs rooms and adapting houses.
I am not sure what the terms of reference of the review are but the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, will bring the review forward in due course. I am hopeful that within that review there will be a set of recommendations to move forward and make these schemes continue to be fit for purpose. I want to provide some assurance on modern design and construction and I want to say that disability-proofing all of our housing stock is critically important, not just for the public sector and approved housing bodies, AHBs, but also for the private sector. That is hugely important, given that our population continues to grow older, and we want people to live healthier and happier lives as they grow older.
Local Authorities
The Minister of State is welcome back to the House. I would like to raise the ongoing delays with taking-in-charge applications that residents of housing estates and local authorities are encountering. The taking in charge of residential estates is the statutory responsibility of the planning authority under section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. However, Uisce Éireann, Irish Water, has particular responsibility for the servicing of these estates. Irish Water states that it is co-operating with planning authorities nationally to access the taking in charge of residential estates and the transfer of water service assets located in these estates to Uisce Éireann for ongoing operation and maintenance. However, all over the country residents in many housing estates are finding the process of their estates being taken in charge by local authorities to be a very long and frustrating one. Many of these residents are being told that the process is being held up by Irish Water and when I talk to local authorities that claim is backed up. Money has been spent on these developments to bring them up to the required standard and yet residents find themselves still waiting. When they contact Irish Water they get the standard response to say that the query has been assigned to a certain team member. Unfortunately the delay goes on in these instances.
In County Monaghan queries are being raised in estates in the five main towns of Monaghan, Carrickmacross, Castleblayney, Ballybay and Clones, as well as in estates in several villages. Some 28 housing estates in the county are in a state of limbo for that same reason. I am led to believe that the situation is mirrored across many other parts of the country. Thousands of people are left in this limbo situation, therefore. I understand that Irish Water needs to take time to check out the infrastructure and all of that, but having said that, it still does not explain the long delays people are encountering. From my inquiries with local authorities, they too are relaying their frustration at the fact that the process is taking so long. I do not know whether it is the case that Irish Water is short on personnel to bring these matters forward but there is clearly something seriously wrong here when a small county like Monaghan would have 28 estates with Irish Water awaiting decisions. That clearly indicates that there is a problem.
It is a big problem for the local authorities and it is a bigger problem for many of the residents who find themselves living in these estates. As the Minister of State would know, some of them would like to dispose of their properties and they understand that certain solicitors and financial institutions would have issues with money being raised for somebody to purchase a house on an estate when it has not been taken in charge by the local authority. Solicitors would have other issues and concerns with clients hoping to purchase one of these properties and they may be advising their clients in many cases not to do so. It is a serious problem and it is holding up many people. I would like to hear that perhaps the Minister of State can give me some comfort that the Department is aware that the problem exists, and more importantly, that the Department, being aware of the problem, is addressing the issue with whatever action is necessary in order to expedite these housing estates across the length and breadth of the country being taken in charge.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as an gceist seo a ardú. First, planning authorities are required to have a policy on taking in charge within their respective functional areas in accordance with planning circular PD 1/08, which was issued by my Department on 26 February 2008. Second, the legislative process for the taking in charge of housing estates by local authorities is set out in section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. The prescribed process in this regard applies to residential developments consisting of two or more dwellings that have been granted planning permission under section 34 of the Act. Under section 180(1) of the Act, the planning authority is obliged to initiate the taking-in-charge process where requested by either the developer, or by the majority of owners of the dwellings in the estate in question. However, this is subject to the development being completed to the satisfaction of the authority and in accordance with the permission and any conditions attached thereto.
Where developments have not been completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority, and where enforcement proceedings in this connection have not been commenced by the planning authority within four years of the expiry of the planning permission relating to a development, section 180(2)(a) of the 2000 Act provides that the planning authority shall, where requested by the majority of owners of the houses involved, initiate the taking-in-charge procedures under section 11 of the Roads Act 1993, as amended. Where this particular approach is being progressed, the authority may apply the security or development bond provided as part of the planning application for the purposes of ensuring the satisfactory completion of the development. With regard to estates which have not been competed satisfactorily, local authorities have been advised to draw up a priority list of requests from residents for the taking in charge of estates, taking into account such factors as the date of the request, the condition of the estate, the length of time it has been left in an unfinished state and the funding resources available to complete such estates. Furthermore, where the calling in of the development bond is not possible, section 180(2)(a) of the 2000 Act provides that the initiation of the taking-in-charge procedures under section 11 of the Roads Act 1993 shall not preclude the planning authority concerned from pursuing a developer for any costs incurred by the authority in respect of necessary works undertaken on a development to enable it to be taken in charge by that authority.
In order to conclude the taking-in-charge process where the development has been deemed to have been satisfactorily completed, a local authority is required to make a declaration under section 11 of the Roads Act 1993 following a proposal by the executive. The making of such a declaration, which effectively confirms that the authority is prepared to take over responsibility for the ongoing maintenance of the public works elements of the estate, is a reserved function of the elected members of a local authority.
The decision to take any particular estate or estates in charge, therefore, is ultimately one for the elected members of the local authority who, by way of declaration made under the Roads Act, will make such a decision.
In addition, it should be noted that financial decision-making and the accountability of local authorities is a matter for the elected members of a local authority who have direct responsibility in law for all reserved functions of the authority, which includes the adoption of the annual budget of the local authority. In this regard, section 103 of the Local Government Act 2001, as amended, provides for the local authority budgetary process. It is a matter for each local authority to determine its own spending priorities in the context of annual budgetary processes, having regard to both locally identified needs and the funding resources available to the local authority. This includes the taking in charge of estates.
I will come back in with a supplementary reply, if that is okay, as the Senator's question relates to delays in water connections by Uisce Éireann. It is something my Department and I can raise with that body as it is its function. I will come back with a supplementary response on that.
I thank the Minister of State for his response. I appreciate he is just taking this matter on behalf of someone else but, unfortunately, the response does not even mention the question in hand. We are wasting everybody's time in many regards with this very disappointing response. It leaves me in a situation whereby I do not know where to go from here.
Will the Minister of State follow up on my behalf regarding the question I raised that has not been addressed in his response? It is very disappointing, not just for me but the thousands of people who find themselves in situations where their lives are put on hold because of Irish Water not being in a position, either due to a lack of manpower or some other reason, to be able to progress these applications for taking in charge. I do not know the reason but, unfortunately, the question I raised has not been answered.
I am taking the question on behalf of my Department so I am the appropriate Minister of State. The question specifically related to taking in charge and the taking in charge process. I am not sure whether Senator Gallagher mentioned issues with Uisce Éireann in a supplementary to that. In that regard and by way of reassurance, I will meet with Uisce Éireann representatives in a few weeks, when I can bring this issue up. Our Department can also raise the matter. Uisce Éireann's operational matters are its own priority. We fund its capital works. Given the Senator raised the issue of 28 estates awaiting decisions, all related to Uisce Éireann, it is important we raise the matter with it. He has my assurance I will do that.
I thank the Minister of State.
Public Transport
I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this matter and the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, for making herself available to take it. As many Members of both Houses will know - the Minister of State has often heard me speak about this matter during my time in the Lower House - public transport is a key issue and key priority for me and the people of south Kildare. Newbridge is very much in the commuter belt, with many thousands of people commuting from there, and the area around it, every day. I regularly speak to constituents in all parts of south Kildare who rightly complain about the lack of appropriate public transport, and issues relating to reliability and a complete lack of rural transport linkages into towns such as Kildare and Newbridge, to avail of buses and trains to our main hubs, including Dublin.
If we are serious about giving people real options to avoid using their cars, we have to improve our public transport offering. Public transport must be consistent, reliable, accessible and affordable. For example, I have received a number of complaints over the years, and the past few months, about the 120 bus route. I am pleased its reliability has somewhat improved following my engagements with the National Transport Authority. I will give the Minister of State a flavour of the reality of using public transport in rural Ireland; I am sure she is well used to this in County Galway. One constituent had an important meeting at 10.30 a.m. in Clane. She waited more than one hour for the 9.32 a.m. bus, which never showed up. Likewise, the 4.30 p.m. on the 120 bus route from Clane did not appear that evening. She waited more than three hours for the next bus to appear. That is simply an appalling service. I am told people have waited more than three hours at that bus stop for the same bus. Many of them have lost count of the number of times the 120 has failed to arrive. Another constituent had an appointment at the eye and ear hospital and, inevitably, the bus did not arrive. That person had to frantically ring around to try to get a lift but could not, and then had to arrange a taxi at huge expense. Those are just two examples of the issues.
I have been a very vocal advocate for the extension of the short hop zone. I happen to be wearing blue today but am genuinely nearly blue in the face raising the plight of commuters in south Kildare. Newbridge railway station is not within the confines of the short hop zone, which means commuters cannot benefit from Leap card or fare arrangements. To purchase a return ticket this morning from Newbridge to Dublin Heuston and back costs €16.90. That is just for the train to Heuston. It does not cover any other public transport costs that would be incurred to get from the station in Newbridge into the centre of Dublin and on to Leinster House. However, if I travelled from Sallins, which is the next station and is in the short hop zone, I would get from Newbridge to Heuston to the city centre and back for €7.20. That is a 57% difference in price between stations that are just 12 km apart by rail. It is not fair and needs to be addressed.
It is not just an issue in the area where I live. From conversations with other Senators in my party and Deputies, this is happening on all the fringes of Dublin. Such a drastic price differential is forcing many commuters to drive to Sallins station, which is in the short hop zone, to avail of cheaper fares and the Leap card capping facility. That is a crazy situation. I know families who have second cars in order that they can leave Newbridge, travel on the road and park their car in Sallins. Many need a second car to enable them to bring their children who are students. I would appreciate it if the Acting Chair would indulge me a half a minute. These houses have passed the climate Act. Ireland is now on a legally binding path to net zero emissions no later than 2050 and a 51% reduction in emissions by the end of this decade. As it stands, people are driving what are often single-occupied vehicles past their local public train station to another station inside the zone because we are crucifying them on fares. It does not make sense.
To hear the media kite flying the suggestion of imposing a congestion charge, which I understand has been rightly delayed, is quite unbelievable. We cannot introduce a congestion charge until we have accessible and affordable fares. If we are serious about incentivising people to use public transport, we need to do just that. We need to incentivise and we need to be fair. I know so many people in Newbridge and Kildare who would love to leave the car at home and use public transport to get them to work and college. I thank the Acting Chair for his indulgence.
I thank the Acting Chair. I thank the Senator for raising this Commencement matter. It was great it was selected. I wish her and all watching a happy International Women's Day.
I welcome the opportunity to discuss this important topic with Members on behalf of the Minister for Transport. The Department of Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding with regard to public transport rather than the day-to-day operation of public transport services nationally.
The National Transport Authority, NTA, has the statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally by way of public transport service contracts and for the allocation of associated funding to the relevant transport operators.
I assure Senator O’Loughlin that the Government is strongly committed to providing all citizens with reliable and realistic sustainable mobility options. Public transport plays a key role in the delivery of this goal. To support this objective, in budget 2023 the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, secured €563 million of funding for public service obligation, PSO, and Local Link services provided by State operators and under contract by the NTA. As Senators are aware, in recognising the importance of incentivising more young people to use public transport, the Minister last year secured €25 million in funding for the introduction of the young adult card, initially on PSO services and then later extended to participating commercial bus operators. Funding has again been secured under budget 2023 for the continuation of this incentive. Further, in October last, the scheme was also extended to include third level students aged 16 to 18 which means that all those aged between 16 and 23 are now able to avail of an average discount of 50% across all services. Mature students in full-time education are also included in the scheme, as are eligible visitors to Ireland within the young adult age cohort. It is important to note that the discount is in addition to the 20% average fare discount on PSO services that was introduced in May 2022 as part of a suite of Government measures to help combat the rising cost of living. The Minister also secured funding for the continuation of this discount under budget 2023.
In regard to improvement of the public transport network, I am pleased to advise that the Minister also secured funding under the budget for the roll-out of new services and service enhancements. This will include the introduction of further service improvements under the BusConnects and Connecting Ireland work programmes, in addition to new town services and enhancements to existing services. This is also in addition to the extensive programme of public transport works such as DART+, MetroLink, electrification of the urban fleet, smarter travel, green schools, active travel grants, CycleConnects and many others.
In regard to Senator O’Loughlin’s query on the possible extension of the short hop zone, budget 2023 is focused on delivering the maximum benefit for all passengers. Funding was therefore directed toward the fare initiatives that I outlined, rather than any narrow application to specific issues which can arise with some fares at the edges of the current short hop zone. However, these issues are acknowledged by the Minister for Transport.
The NTA undertook a review of national bus and rail fares in the latter part of 2022 setting out a new strategy for national fares. The strategy will see the introduction of a new methodology for the determination of fares, whereby fares will increase in line with distance travelled beyond the 90-minute fare boundary. It will also remedy disparities which currently exist outside the short hop zone. This will encompass services within a new commuter area 48.5 kilometres from Dublin city, which is likely to result in fare reductions for many passengers availing of commuter bus and rail services. I am advised that the strategy is being finalised and an implementation plan is being developed in partnership with public transport operators. I am further advised that the NTA intends to announce the plan as part of a determination of fares in quarter 2 of 2023, with initial adjustments to fares in quarter 3, commencing in the Dublin commuter area. This is, however, dependent upon the ability of operators to introduce revised fare structures using existing ticketing equipment and back-office systems.
I do not know whether that answered the exact question Senator O’Loughlin asked in regard to the rail network. The answer focused very much on bus transport. She might want to come back to me on that.
I acknowledge the developments we have seen. It is important to acknowledge the progress that has been made. I met the NTA which mentioned the review it was undertaking at the time and indicated there would be a new strategy for national fares. That is good and important news, as is the expansion of the Local Link network. I particularly welcome route 888 which will serve Monasterevin, Rathangan and Kildare. We need a link from Allenwood to Lullymore into Rathangan. That is very important. I accept that the strategy is being finalised with the implementation plan. However, while I certainly welcome fairer fares, the introduction of the Leap card is hugely important for all the reasons I outlined including for people to travel freely within Dublin city to get to their destination. I thank the Minister of State for her response. I know she will take up the matter with the Minister for Transport.
I certainly will take it up with the Minister for Transport. I acknowledge the Senator's ongoing work on everything transport-related in County Kildare. When I ran for the European elections she made sure I travelled on a train to understand the challenges in the various commuter towns. I will certainly raise the matter with the Minister for Transport.
Disability Services
The Minister of State is more than welcome. I am delighted to see her here because this Commencement matter was directed to the Department of Health. There ensued a series of emails informing me that this function moved to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on 1 March 2023. Lo and behold, we were told this morning that the issue is going to the Department of Finance. It has definitely been around the houses.
It is great to have the Minister of State here to discuss this important issue. We are trying to get to the bottom of the issue regarding disability services for people who need transportation. It is a huge issue for a small cohort of society which is badly affected.
In November 2021, I mentioned a case of a 34-year-old man with motor neurone disease. He was married with two kids. His wife was a full-time carer. He lived in a rural part of Bandon with no transportation. We were told in the House that the scheme had not been in operation since 2013 and there was no avenue to do anything for this poor man or his family. Amazingly, the community got together and a donor gave him a car. The man in question and his family have some independence today because of society stepping in where, unfortunately, the State failed. We are trying to get movement on these issues because there are other issues. People from different areas are trying to avail of a scheme that has not been in place since 2013. We are also looking at the taxation implications of the Department of Finance scheme and how that can be accessed. The latter is unique in its own right, with six really tight core principles that need to apply. The case of my next-door neighbour is an example. He is a young man, or possibly not so young any more. He is around my age, and when he was 13 years of age he lost his arm to a farm accident. An accident with a power take-off, PTO, shaft tore his right arm from the shoulder. He found he was not eligible for the scheme. He needs to lose two arms to be eligible. You could not write this stuff if you tried.
We are now in a scenario whereby families cannot qualify for the scheme because the criteria are so tight on the taxation element and the other side of the scheme has not been running since 2013. I am aware that it is proposed to set up a working group to look at these issues. I was informed of that when I was chasing the case in Bandon. That working group gave people some hope that there could be some joined-up thinking between the HSE and the Department of Finance. However, it has to be a workable scheme that addresses all the issues. There is no point in refusing a person who has, for example, Parkinson’s disease, by saying he or she does not qualify for the scheme, knowing that in a year’s time the condition will deteriorate and the person will qualify. That is what is happening. Compassion has to be tied into this scheme going forward.
The working group needs to put a plan in place to ensure everyone has the ability to move around and access services.
This is about independence. It is about trying to give everyone in society independence. Unfortunately, since 2013 independence has been taken away from people with disabilities who cannot access transportation. In rural areas in particular, many people have no way of getting around other than by car. They cannot use public transportation. If there is no scheme to address that need, there is discrimination against that cohort of society. We need to get movement on such a scheme. We are trying to create a fair society for everyone. There was a significant surplus of €5 billion at the end of last year. That there is no scheme in place for this cohort of society - I agree it is a small group - is sinful. I am delighted the Minister of State is present because we need to get some drive and movement on this issue. As it fell under the Department of Health for a period, it probably did not get the regard it deserved. I hope we can now get impetus behind moving it forward. It a significant issue for the families who are in this unfortunate situation.
I thank the Senator. It is an important issue. Before I call on the Minister of State to respond, I welcome the students from Hollypark school in Foxrock. I am delighted to have them here on International Women's Day. I hope they will learn a lot.
I welcome all those in the Public Gallery. I thank the Senator for tabling this Commencement matter. Before I read the script I have been provided by the Department of Finance, I note that within the Department of Health I pulled together the working group and decided to chair it myself, much to the surprise of the group, because I was told the Department of Health is not responsible for transport. Regardless of my title as Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities, this is one of the biggest issues that comes across my desk as an elected representative for a rural area, no more than the Senator or the Acting Chairperson. I thank the Senator for raising the matter.
The disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme provides relief from vehicle registration tax, VRT, and VAT on the purchase and use of an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant. The scheme is open to severely and permanently disabled persons as a driver or as a passenger, as well as to certain charitable organisations. In order to qualify for relief, the applicant must hold a primary medical certificate, PMC, issued by the relevant principal medical officer or a board medical certificate issued by the disabled driver medical board of appeal. To qualify for a medical certificate, an applicant must meet one of six specified criteria. It is important to read into the record the narrow view of the six criteria. They are: to be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both legs; to be wholly without the use of one leg and almost wholly without the use of the other leg such that the applicant is severely restricted as to movement of the lower limbs; to be without both hands or without both arms; to be without one or both legs; to be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both hands or arms and wholly or almost wholly without the use of one leg; or to have the medical condition of dwarfism and have serious difficulties of movement of the lower limbs. That takes no consideration whatsoever of persons born with a congenital condition, such as blindness. It does not take into consideration children or young adults with challenging behavioural needs. It is a very limited and narrow view of what disability is.
To qualify for VRT and VAT reliefs, the vehicle must be specially constructed or adapted for use by the PMC holder as a disabled driver or where being transported as a disabled passenger by a family or by an organisation. The limit of allowable VRT and VAT reliefs depends on the PMC holder and the adaptations made to the vehicle. Disabled drivers can receive up to €10,000 for adaptations to the vehicle, which can include installing hand controls, for example. Disabled drivers can receive up to €16,000 if making certain specific adaptations. Disabled passengers can receive up to €16,000 for adaptations, while organisations can received up to €16,000 for relevant adaptations if transporting five or fewer PMC holders. Disabled drivers, disabled passengers and organisations transporting fewer or fewer PMC holders can receive up to €22,000 for certain extensive adaptations subject to strict conditions. Revenue data show that only a handful of vehicles, totalling less than 1% as at quarter 3 of 2022, meet conditions to qualify for extensive adaptation limits.
The Senator should note that the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme has been reviewed as part of the work of the national disability inclusion strategy, NDIS, transport working group, which I chaired. Its final report was published on 24 February 2023. The final report notes that the scheme is no longer fit for purpose. Introduced in the 1960s, the scheme has an outdated in-or-out medically based policy rationale. It does not meet the needs of a significant group of those with a disability or mobility impairments. It requires individuals to prove they are sufficiently disabled. Any expansion of eligibility criteria will still mean some individuals will not meet the criteria. The administrative and operational model of the scheme is not and never will be fit for purpose in terms of meeting the standards expected of a modern scheme.
The scheme is significantly divergent from international best practice on almost all scheme parameters. Of 32 examples, Ireland is the only one in which a department of finance is solely responsible for the scheme and it is the only country to rely solely on a lump sum tax relief for its vehicle-related provisions. Unlike the provisions in most other countries, the scheme has minimal controls for receipt of provisions, which creates considerable scope for maximisation and misuse of provisions. In short, the scheme has effectively become a vehicle purchase scheme, rather than one for vehicle adaptation. The NDIS transport working group endorses the recommendation to develop a new needs-based grant-aided vehicular adaptation scheme. I hope that answers some of the Senator's queries.
I thank the Minister of State for her comprehensive response. It is clear the scheme is not fit for purpose, as she acknowledged. It is about making sure we get a scheme in place to meet the needs of the people I represent, such as the man in Bandon to whom I referred, who are housebound other than when the community steps in out of goodwill, as well as those who lost limbs in an accident or were born without limbs. Such a scheme must be put in place.
I compliment the work of the Minister of State on the report that has been published. It is a hard-hitting report that acknowledges the flaws in the current scheme, which is totally out of sync with society and the realities of life. It is now about trying to make sure a new scheme can be put in place. The State has a surplus of money. There are people in need. Of all issues I encounter, this is a priority. The Minister of State is correct that she and I are from rural areas with similar demographics. Unfortunately, farm accidents occur in such areas.
There is a cohort of society that needs to be supported through the provision of a new scheme. Is primary legislation needed to bring in a new scheme or will it be run through a Department? Which Department will run the scheme? I mean no offence to the Minister of State but she saw how responsibility for taking this Commencement matter was hopped from the Department of Health to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and now she is here representing the Minister for Finance. That is because nobody wanted to touch this issue. It is a hot topic in so many ways. The string of emails we received was hilarious. I ask her to confirm the lead Department that will run the scheme and the timeline for when it will be up and running.
The Minister of State will have the final few words.
I thank the Acting Chairperson. I hope my final few words will not get me in trouble. I thank the Senator for his acknowledgement. I compliment every Minister and official sent to participate on the group I reconfigured. I was not left short one Department. Every Department was represented at the table. To be fair, the Departments of Health, Finance and Transport, as well as the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform and everybody else, were there. That is why it is a good and comprehensive report. As the Senator can see, nobody wanted to own this issue. That is why I took on the role of chairperson and owned it. The report has now been produced.
The Senator saw through his thread of emails that still nobody wants to own it. At the end of the day, I am gone into the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Equality means rights of access by persons with a disability. If we believe in and breathe the UNCRPD, there is the right to participate. Regardless of where someone lives in rural or urban Ireland, they have the right to go to work or education and to participate as a normal citizen. In some instances, that might mean they need a vehicle to meet their needs. We cannot be restrictive in what is prescribed as to someone's access to that vehicle. I certainly will be having meetings as I have done within my own Department. I need funding behind this so quite rightly I will have to talk to the Minister for Finance. If he gives me the money, I will run it myself and if he does not, I think it should sit within the Department of Finance.
I thank the Minister of State for those strong and positive words.
Cuireadh an Seanad ar fionraí ag 11.21 a.m. agus cuireadh tús leis arís ag 11.30 a.m.
Sitting suspended at 11.21 a.m. and resumed at 11.30 a.m.