Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 February 2004
238 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Finance if he intends to change the current guidelines which qualify physically disabled persons to obtain vehicles without paying VRT but does not qualify the parents, minders or guardians of mentally disabled persons to the same, even though these people need contact transport; and if he does not intend to change this, the reason therefor. [3265/04]
View answerAn interdepartmental group was established to review the disabled drivers' and disabled passengers' tax concessions scheme. The group examined all aspects of the scheme including the qualifying medical criteria.
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. Any recommendations contained in this report in relation to the medical criteria and other conditions of the scheme will receive full consideration.
The cost of existing reliefs, excluding annual road tax costs, is substantial and is estimated to be in the region of €35 million in 2003, as compared to €5.1 million in 1994.
