Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 November 2009
75 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Finance his view on the recommendations of the interdepartmental review group made in 2002 on tax concessions for disabled drivers and disabled passengers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42453/09]
View answerA special interdepartmental review group reviewed the operation of the disabled drivers scheme. It examined the current benefits, the qualifying medical criteria, the Exchequer costs, relationship with other schemes and similar schemes in other countries. The report also made a number of recommendations, both immediate and long-term, referring respectively to the operation of the appeals process and options for the future development of the scheme. The group's report is published on my Department's website. Some 13,000 people benefited under the scheme in 2008 at an overall estimated cost of €76 million. Any changes would have to be considered in the context of the annual budget.
